World Vision calls for more international humanitarian support for South Sudan

 Juba, 25 July 2015

World Vision is concerned about the increasing humanitarian needs that the people of South Sudan are experiencing and is worried that unless humanitarian support is increased the suffering of the people will worsen.

“The recent escalation of violence in Juba was a significant setback to the provision of basic needs for children and their families across South Sudan. Although many of the displaced in Juba have returned, the vulnerabilities of all South Sudanese are increasing,” says Perry Mansfield, World Vision’s National Director for South Sudan.

Before the violence broke out, South Sudan was already facing wide-spread food insecurity and malnutrition with a risk of famine growing in several parts of the country.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) for the Republic of South Sudan released in June, the overall food security and nutrition situation has continued to worsen resulting in over 4.8 million people (about a third of the population) experiencing acute levels of hunger and malnutrition.

This is an increase of one million people overall and a 40 percent increase in number of children treated for severe malnutrition since the same period last year.

Following the widespread violence that broke out in Juba on eve of South Sudan’s 5th anniversary of independence and the uncertainty that it has brought, World Vision and other humanitarian actors have continued to provide life-saving assistance to vulnerable children and families in Juba and across the country.

“However, additional support is required from all stakeholders to support our efforts and contribute to a more peaceful environment from which individuals and communities can build trust and reconciliation in South Sudan,” says Mansfield.

“While recognizing the numerous interrelated factors contributing to the current situation, the international community should not allow the suffering of millions of South Sudanese to worsen,” he added.

Since 2015, World Vision has reached over 1.3 million South Sudanese, of which more than 630,000 are children.

For more information please contact:

Rose Ogola +211 925 344 916 or rose_ogola@wvi.og

World Vision is the world's largest international children's charity and has been working in South Sudan since 1989. Programmes include health, nutrition, food assistance, food security and economic development, water and sanitation, education, peace building, protection and distribution of household items.