Over 60,000 Children Face Rising Malnutrition in South Sudan Amid Aid Disruption

More than 60,000 malnourished children in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state are at imminent risk of deteriorating health as life-saving nutrition supplies run critically low. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF issued an urgent warning on Friday, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis that could soon spiral beyond control unless immediate action is taken.

Humanitarian Lifeline Cut Off

The conflict-stricken Upper Nile state, situated along the White Nile river, has been effectively cut off from humanitarian aid for nearly a month. The White Nile, a vital corridor for transporting emergency supplies, has become inaccessible due to intensified armed conflict in the region. This disruption has halted the flow of nutritional and food supplies, leaving communities—especially children—dangerously exposed.

Upper Nile already faces one of the highest malnutrition burdens in South Sudan, with over 300,000 children affected by moderate to severe malnutrition over the past year. Conditions are expected to worsen as the rainy season brings an uptick in waterborne diseases and further limits mobility. Simultaneously, ongoing violence continues to displace thousands of families, compounding food insecurity and health risks.

Supplies on Standby, but Conflict Prevents Delivery

In mid-April, barges carrying over 1,000 metric tonnes of vital food and nutrition items were en route to Upper Nile when they were forced to retreat due to escalating violence. Another 3,000 metric tonnes of life-saving provisions are currently stockpiled in Bor, a key humanitarian logistics hub along the Nile, awaiting safe passage. However, without secure access, these critical resources remain out of reach for those who need them most.

“Children are already the first to suffer during emergencies,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP’s Country Representative in South Sudan. “If we can’t get nutrition supplies through, we are likely to see escalating malnutrition in areas already at breaking point.”

WFP and UNICEF have warned that unless the river corridor reopens urgently, existing nutrition stocks will run out by the end of May 2025. This would halt treatment for tens of thousands of malnourished children and risk widespread deterioration in health and survival rates.

Health Facilities Targeted, Supplies Looted

Security concerns have also made it impossible to preposition supplies in many parts of Upper Nile. Aid agencies fear that storing high-value nutrition goods in unstable regions could lead to looting. This concern is not hypothetical—nearly 2,000 cartons of nutrition supplements (approximately 26 metric tonnes) have already been looted since the onset of the conflict. These stolen supplies could have treated around 1,900 children, offering them a critical lifeline.

Obia Achieng, UNICEF’s interim Representative in South Sudan, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “We have reluctantly taken the unprecedented step of holding back supplies for fear that they will not reach the children that so desperately need them, due to the ongoing fighting, looting, and disruption of the river route.”

Urgent Call for Action

WFP and UNICEF are calling on all parties to the conflict to guarantee safe and unhindered access to humanitarian corridors. Only with secure delivery routes can aid agencies resume life-saving operations and prevent a full-blown nutritional catastrophe.

The agencies stress that any further delays will not only undermine years of progress in combating child malnutrition but also push already vulnerable populations to the brink. Without immediate international attention and support, thousands of children could face irreversible consequences.

Both WFP and UNICEF reiterated their commitment to staying and delivering in South Sudan, but underscored that they need immediate access, funding, and cooperation to do so effectively.