The United Nations World Food Programme and UNICEF issued a warning last Thursday that over 60,000 malnourished children in Upper Nile State are at risk of worsening malnutrition.
The White Nile serves as the primary humanitarian supply route into Upper Nile, but increased conflict has halted food aid to the region for nearly a month.
Without immediate intervention, WFP and UNICEF anticipate depleting their nutrition supplies by the end of May.
Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Representative in South Sudan, stated, ‘Children are always the first to suffer during crises; if we cannot deliver nutrition supplies, we are likely to witness a rise in malnutrition in areas already on the brink.’
In recent weeks, boats carrying thousands of metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies have been compelled to turn back due to security issues.
Obia Achieng, UNICEF Representative ad interim in South Sudan, remarked, ‘We have reluctantly made the unprecedented decision to withhold supplies, fearing they will not reach the children in dire need due to ongoing violence, looting, and disruptions along the river route.’
