Over 450,000 children in South Sudan are at risk of acute malnutrition due to ongoing violence, UNICEF reports.
The organization’s country representative has called for “rapid, unimpeded, and safe access” for humanitarian aid and personnel to reach highly vulnerable displaced populations.
The internal conflict has caused widespread displacement and disrupted essential health and nutrition services in Jonglei State.
Since the start of 2026, escalating violence in Jonglei has forced around 250,000 people to flee, particularly from the northern and central regions of the state.
The UNICEF representative in the country, Noala Skinner, explained the organization’s deep concern for the women and children who are being directly impacted by the violence. “We know that these areas have the highest levels of malnutrition among children, and we know that malnourished children without treatment are 12 times more likely to die”, Skinner said.
