Hundreds of thousands of malnourished children at risk amid escalating violence

2026-02-03 - 08:19

More than 450,000 children in Jonglei State are at risk of acute malnutrition as ongoing hostilities drive mass displacement and disrupt critical health and nutrition services, UNICEF South Sudan has warned. An upsurge in violent clashes across Jonglei since the beginning of 2026 has reportedly displaced at least 250,000 people, particularly in the northern and central parts of the state. “We are extremely concerned for women and children impacted by these violent clashes. These areas have some of the highest levels of child malnutrition, and a malnourished child without treatment is 12 times more likely to die,” said UNICEF Country Representative Noala Skinner. “We are urgently calling for all parties to cease the violence and grant rapid, unimpeded, safe access for humanitarian aid and workers to reach highly vulnerable, displaced groups.” Access to emergency aid has been severely hampered. Humanitarian agencies face restrictions on travel by river, air, and road, limiting their ability to reach vulnerable populations. Six counties in Jonglei are either experiencing or approaching a stockout of therapeutic foods—a lifesaving commodity for severely malnourished children. Across South Sudan, UNICEF has recorded the closure of 17 health facilities due to conflict, with associated nutrition services suspended. There have also been 10 incidents of looting of health and nutrition supplies, five of them in Jonglei State. Despite these challenges, UNICEF is actively responding to the crisis. Water purification equipment, buckets, and soap have been dispatched to Duk County amid concerns of a cholera outbreak. Supplies have also been sent to Akobo, including malaria treatment, therapeutic food for malnourished children, and emergency health kits to treat over 10,000 people.