Arabic version: اليونيسف توصل مساعدات إلى مجتمعات معزولة في جونقلي

According to Allafrica, UNICEF and its partners have delivered lifesaving assistance to families in conflict-affected communities in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, where many people had gone months without humanitarian support.

Since January, escalating fighting, displacement and unsafe routes have cut off services and forced health facilities to close. UNICEF said families have been left without reliable healthcare, safe water, protection and nutrition support. The agency delivered more than eight tonnes of supplies through its Rapid Response Mechanism to Wiechjol in Akobo County and Waat in Nyirol County.

The supplies included therapeutic food for children with acute malnutrition, water treatment and hygiene kits, and medical items. Teams screened 1,666 children under five for acute malnutrition, admitting 146 for lifesaving treatment and referring 602 with moderate acute malnutrition for follow-up care. They also counselled 331 caregivers on infant and young-child nutrition.

UNICEF South Sudan Country Representative Noala Skinner said access challenges had left mothers and children “hanging in the balance.” She cited SMART surveys showing global acute malnutrition rates in Akobo West exceed 40 per cent, among the highest levels in the country. Teams also provided primary healthcare to 1,241 patients, including 250 children under five.

Water, sanitation and hygiene teams gave filters and purification supplies to 1,200 families, while 200 women and girls received dignity and hygiene kits. UNICEF called for sustained humanitarian access, protection for women and children, continued emergency-response support, and flexible financing to enable rapid deployment of aid.