By John Ikani
Children in regions of South Sudan impacted by flooding are anticipated to experience severe malnutrition in the first half of 2024 as the climate crisis tightens its hold on the nation, as per a warning from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today.
Rubkona, a county where floodwaters have permanently submerged entire communities or trapped them on small islands since 2021, stands at the forefront of the flooding crisis and is expected to witness exceptionally high levels and severity of malnutrition by April 2024.
Data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reveals that over 1.6 million children under the age of five are projected to suffer from malnutrition in 2024.
Flood-affected areas are grappling with the most severe malnutrition due to the prevalence of waterborne diseases and overcrowded living conditions, worsened by limited access to food and sources of income.
“This is the harsh reality of residing on the frontline of the climate crisis,” cautioned Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Representative to South Sudan. “We’re witnessing a deeply troubling surge in malnutrition, which is a direct consequence of living in densely populated and waterlogged environments. The spread of waterborne diseases undermines the efforts of humanitarian agencies in preventing and treating malnutrition, and it is the youngest children who bear the brunt of the impact.”
Rubkona is predicted to reach IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 by April 2024, marking the first time ever for such a designation. This represents the highest possible level of malnutrition and is a reflection of the ongoing flood crisis that has submerged the entire county for the past two years.
In addition, severe economic shocks have caused the prices of essential foods to surge by more than 120 percent since April. The flooding is primarily driven by increased water outflows from Nile River basins, particularly Lake Victoria, which experienced above-average rainfall in 2023, indicating no immediate relief from the floodwaters.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a comprehensive assessment of food security and nutrition. The IPC reveals that more than seven million people will face acute food insecurity throughout the lean season of 2024, with the number of people experiencing catastrophic hunger (IPC5) expected to rise to 79,000 by April.
This increase is largely attributed to South Sudanese individuals fleeing conflict in Sudan, as they confront increasingly dire levels of food insecurity. WFP is grappling with significant funding challenges, and the funding outlook for 2024 appears grim.
It is anticipated that only one-third of the moderately malnourished children in need of treatment will receive assistance due to a shortage of funds.
