Mothers across South Sudan will receive crucial ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to treat their children suffering from severe wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition, USAID and UNICEF said.
In a press statememnt released on Tuesday, the life-saving supplemental foods have been made available to UNICEF South Sudan through a $35 million contribution from USAID.
USAID said South Sudan faces the highest levels of malnutrition among children on record, with 1.4 million children expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2022, approximately 30 percent increase in the number of children suffering from wasting compared to 2021.
The statement indicated that the funds will be used to provide over 350,000 cartons of RUTF to treat more than 350,000 children across South Sudan in 2022 and 2023.
“Addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan is critical, and we are acutely aware of the needs in providing these supplies to treat malnourished children,” USAID South Sudan Mission Director Katherine Crawford was quoted as saying. “The U.S. Government is pleased to continue to support the ongoing response to malnutrition and ensure the health and well-being of children across South Sudan.”
For his part, UNICEF South Sudan representative Hamida Lassako, said: “UNICEF has already treated almost 150,000 children for acute malnutrition in 2022. “With this vital support, UNICEF and partners can ensure continued screening and treatment of children across the country and we are grateful to the United States for this support.”
The statement futher said additional funding from USAID will benefit more than one million mothers, fathers, and caregivers of children below 24 months through maternal, infant, and young child nutrition counselling services, giving them the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent their children from falling into malnutrition.