South Sudan: UNICEF reaches communities cut off by conflict in Jonglei state

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners have delivered lifesaving assistance to families in conflict-affected communities in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, many of whom had gone months without humanitarian support.Jonglei is among a handful of states that have seen a return to armed conflict, with clashes between Government and opposition forces. “Access challenges in Jonglei state have left the lives of mothers and their children hanging in the balance,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF South Sudan Country Representative. Since January, escalating fighting, mass displacement and unsafe routes have cut off services and forced health facilities to close, leaving families without reliable access to healthcare, safe water, protection and nutrition support. Children screened for malnutritionUNICEF delivered more than eight tonnes of essential supplies through its Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) to isolated communities in Wiechjol, a town in Akobo County, and in Waat, Nyirol County. Items included therapeutic food for children suffering from acute malnutrition, water treatment and hygiene kits, as well as critical medical supplies. Teams screened 1,666 children under five for acute malnutri...