It’s time for S. Sudan to have a strategic plan for every child, as UNICEF warned about Short Of Funds

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Tuesday that it lacks funding to help 4.5 million children in the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. At 10, South Sudan is expected to have a strategic plan for every child in the country.

A new report released by the UN agency in Juba, ahead of South Sudan’s 10th anniversary of independence, says hopes for a better life for these children have been smashed by intermittent violence and conflict, recurring floods, droughts and other extreme weather events fuelled by climate change and a deepening economic crisis.

These circumstances have led to very high food insecurity and one of the world’s greatest humanitarian disasters.

The study adds that the partly implemented 2018 renewed peace deal has failed to address the problems confronting the country’s children and youth.

“The hope and optimism that South Sudan’s children and families had at their country’s birth in 2011 eventually changed to despair and hopelessness,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

Fore stated South Sudan’s childhood of many 10-year-old youngsters was plagued by conflict, crises, and rights abuses.

UNICEF has received just one-third of the $180 million appeals it needs to help the most vulnerable children in 2021. It warns that the humanitarian situation may intensify in the approaching lean season, despite donor cutbacks to South Sudan.

“The situation will intensify as we approach lean season with increasing flood danger. Lives will be lost without immediate intervention.”

UNICEF notes that an estimated 8.3 million people in South Sudan require humanitarian aid, considerably more than in the 2013-2018 civil conflict, ranging from 6.1 million to 7.5 million.

South Sudan has one of the worst death rates worldwide, with 1 in 10 children not projected to reach their fifth birthday.

This year’s integrated categorization of the food security phase predicts that 1.4 million children suffer from acute malnutrition, adding that more than 300,000 children are anticipated to suffer from the severe type of malnutrition and risk dying if treatment is not given.

“If we don’t get enough money, the reality for children and families is that no assistance will come,” said South Sudan Deputy Representative Andrea Suley.

She emphasized humanitarian groups handle virtually all South Sudan service delivery.

“Without ending the widespread violence and instability that threatens families and hinders humanitarian access, and without sufficient financing, health and nutrition centers will be shuttered, wells will not be repaired and the sound of generators keeping vaccination fridges cold will soon fade away,” Suley added.