By Anak Dut

Amidst a devastating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, with an estimated 2.3 million children under the age of five said to be suffering from acute malnutrition, including 714,000 facing severe cases, and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women requiring immediate treatment and care, the World Vision is stepping in with an advocacy campaign against hunger. 

““No child should go hungry. But today, millions are experiencing hunger simply because they don’t have enough to eat,” said Mesfin Loha, World Vision South Sudan country director.

“Ending child hunger and malnutrition requires a collective effort from the family, community, state and national commitment, as well as a global response. No single entity can do it alone,” Loha added.

The words come on the backdrop of alarming figures by UN bodies, which reported that 7.7 million South Sudanese are experiencing acute food insecurity, with several areas at risk of famine-level conditions due to conflict. 

As a step towards mitigating such challenges, World Vision has welcomed the recent passed National Nutrition Policy by the Government of South Sudan. The policy establishes a unified framework to coordinate national efforts to combat malnutrition, stunting, and wasting over the next decade, which is critical in achieving more effective and sustainable solutions to the country’s nutrition situation.

“This policy will solidify our efforts and direction in strengthening our collaboration with government agencies, partners, including humanitarian actors, and communities,” said Mesfin, “The policy also aligns with our priorities and ENOUGH Campaign goals as we intensify our efforts in improving the nutritional status of children and mothers.”

The humanitarian aid organization is rolling out the ENOUGH campaign, which calls for an end to child hunger and malnutrition, aiming to ensure that every child has enough nourishing food to survive and thrive.

According to the organization, by integrating the National Nutritional policy into its programming, World Vision is scaling up efforts to tackle child hunger through long-term, community-based solutions, while reinforcing commitments and focusing resources and partnerships where they are most needed.

“World Vision is stepping up its work in South Sudan with a community-based approach to fight hunger, malnutrition and improve health. This includes support in areas like nutrition, clean water and sanitation (WASH), healthcare, education, food and income security, child protection, and peacebuilding,” it said, adding:

“The goal is to address the root causes of malnutrition, especially for children and mothers in refugee and displaced and vulnerable communities.”