FUNDED NUTRITION SUPPORT REACHES MORE THAN 6,000 VULNERABLE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SOUTH SUDAN
JUBA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has provided lifesaving nutrition assistance to over 6,000 vulnerable mothers and children in flood-affected Bentiu, Unity State. This support was made possible thanks to generous funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
The $400,000 contribution allowed WFP to purchase and distribute specialized nutritious foods, such as Super Cereal Plus (fortified blended food) and Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (Plumpy Doz). These products are specifically designed to prevent acute malnutrition in children aged six months and older, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Malnutrition levels in Bentiu remain alarmingly high due to severe flooding, which has displaced entire communities and increased the risk of waterborne diseases. These factors significantly raise the risk of malnutrition, especially among children.
Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan, emphasized the importance of nutrition programs in the face of increasing hunger and malnutrition. Providing the right nutrition to young children and mothers not only saves lives but also gives children the opportunity to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. The partnership with KSrelief is crucial in achieving this goal.
This intervention comes at a critical time when nearly 7.7 million people in South Sudan are experiencing crisis-level food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or higher), including an estimated 2.1 million children at risk of malnutrition this year.
WFP and KSrelief have been global partners for a decade, working together in South Sudan since 2018. This recent contribution underscores their joint commitment to improving health and nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable populations.
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to pave the way for peace, stability, and prosperity for those recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change.
