7 Years On: South Sudan faces yet another year of extreme food insecurity

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Seven years after South Sudan won its hard-fought battle for independence, the country has become one of the most difficult places in the world to be a child. 

July 9 marks the seven year anniversary of South Sudan's independence. Since then, brutal on-going conflict has forced 2.5 million people to flee to neighbouring countries, including Uganda. By the end of the year the UNHCR expects the number of South Sudanese refugees to rise to more than 3 million – in a country of 10.4 million people seven years ago.

“About 7 million people in South Sudan need humanitarian assistance. It’s indescribably miserable for children,” says Mesfin Loha, World Vision’s Country Programme Director in South Sudan.

“We try to focus on people’s strength, hope and resilience, because it takes all of that for families to survive. They’re clinging to the hope that their children will have a better future.”

However, children face a high risk of being recruited or forced to fight in the conflict affecting their communities, homes and families. UNICEF estimates there are 19,000 child soldiers in South Sudan, but it’s feared the actual number is likely to be much higher.

Before the violence broke out, South Sudan was already facing wide-spread food insecurity and malnutrition. Now, more than 1.1 million children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished. Faced with possible starvation, parents are left with few choices but to leave the country.

Since 2015, World Vision has reached over 1.3 million South Sudanese, of which more than 630,000 are children. World Vision programs have included health, nutrition, education and child protection.

“It’s heart-breaking. These children are the future of South Sudan. They are the hope of this country,” Mr Loha says.

“They must be allowed to live in peace without fear for their lives.”

World Vision’s Country Programme Director in South Sudan, Mesfin Loha, is available for interviews. Video footage and photos available.

For interviews or further information please contact:

Brianna Piazza (Emergencies Communications Officer) 0408 624 934 or brianna.piazza@worldvision.com.au 

 

Media Releases, Africa

Back to all Results