Thluai-1

Iang Chin Thluai Steve Holland English-2010-024 16 April, 2014 South Sudan Proposal

Since December 2013, the escalation of armed conflict in South Sudan has resulted in the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. According to UNICEFs report, up to 7 million people are now at some risk of food insecurity, and health problems both in areas struck by violence and in the country at large. Hundreds of thousands have lost their livelihoods, family, property and access to basic services. They are waiting for humanitarian efforts. So far, aid agencies have reached 300,000 people struck by the crisis. This war has affected 3.75 million children under the age of 18. But only 1.7 out of 3.75 million children can be reached in 2014 by humanitarians. More than two million children are still waiting for help(UNICEFHAC-SS,p.1). Mal-Nutrition and hunger is widespread in Sudan. Malnutrition is a critical public health concern in South Sudan where an estimated 200,000 children under-five are at risk of being malnourished,( UNICEFs E&S Africa.p-1). Child mortality due to malnutrition has reached 40 per cent in Sudan, according to Dr Anshu Banerjee, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Sudan (UNICEFs E&S Africa.p-1). The problem of under-nutrition is significant in Sudan where 31 per cent are stunted, and 23 per cent wasted, with wide variations across the ten states. About thirty-one percent of children who are under the age of five in Sudan are moderately to severely underweight and this stems in large part from the war and subsequent food shortage. Many children are scavenging the ground and nearby trees to find anything they

Thluai-2

can to eat. With the lack of food, many children have resorted to eating leaves as that is the closest thing to a meal they can find. On average, fifteen percent of families eat inadequately, both in terms of quantity and quality and there are about 550,000 breast feeding mothers and babies in Sudan that are in need of nutritious supplementary food (Action Against Hunger). Insufficient intake of macro and micro nutrients lead to chronic malnutrition or the severe wasting associated with acute malnutrition. 1.8 million are suffering acute malnutrition and this form of malnutrition occurs when the body doesnt receive this nourishment and exhausts its energy reserves. The body will begin to consume its own tissue to search for nutrients and energy it needs to survive; muscle and body fat is targeted first2013 (Action Against Hunger). UNICEF and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have joined forces to deliver food, vaccines, nutrition supplements and other vital relief supplies to the most isolated areas of the conflict (News). Using helicopters and airdrops to reach the Sudanese, WFP are providing lifesaving food and nutrition to nearly 500,000 people since the crisis began in December. Along with UNICEF that has reached approximately 250,000 with support that includes water, sanitation, vaccines, education and child protection assistance (News). These humanitarian efforts also provide fuel (coal) for cooking as well as stoves and mills for grinding flour. Bringing needed help and aide for those being affected. However, UNICEF is requesting $75,068,165 from international community to meet the humanitarian needs of women and children in the first six months of 2014 (UNICEF-HACSS,p.1). Without additional funding, UNICEF will not be able to continue to provide emergency interventions to support the humanitarian response to the countrys multiple crises. Humanitarians need more funds to help Sudanese children from January to June 2014 for

Thluai-3

nutrition, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, child protection, education, and more (UNICEFsHAC-SS,p.1). This issue has become one of crucial timing. A new nations future is its children. And a critical aspect is proper nutrition among children where the data is alarming,( UNICEFs E&S Africa.p-1).In order for help to continue to reach these children and save lives, these humanitarian efforts that are already in place need assistance. Children and families in South Sudan are now facing unprecedented suffering- with worrying signs of malnutrition and disease outbreaks. With the rainy season looming we have to seize every opportunity to rapidly deploy teams and life-saving supplies to the hardest to reach the Sudanese. This is how we will avert a humanitarian catastrophe (News,p.1), explains UNICEF Representative, Jonathan Veitch. It is important for this to be a successful cause and not the contrary for these families. It is unacceptable for children to continue dying from malnutrition that is preventable and curable. There is an urgent need to step up efforts to ensure a healthy future for children, (Riek Machar, Vice President of South Sudan). Medical professionals, nutritionists, and philanthropists alike who understand these issues and their greater affects should help by donating to UNICEF today. Donations and involvement will help to alleviate this problem and fight hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan. It will help to improve and continue the lives of these people and this country.

This is the proposal of South Sudan. I did a lot of researches and this paper changed the way I think about the world. It made me aware what is going on at some places and what should be done to stop them.

Thluai-4

Work Cited ACF USA Www.actionagagainsthunger.org/countries/africa/south-sudan web. 2013 Action Against Hunger "Crisis in South Sudan" Oxfam International. 04 April 2014.Web 04 April 2014. "South Sudan." Save The Children. December 2013. Web 04 April 2014. UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children - South Sudan, UNICEF's- HAC. Web Feb 21, 2014. http://www.unicef.org/appeals/south_sudan.html UNICEF- Eastern and Southern Africa- Media Center-South Sudan, UNICEFs E&S Africa Media Center. Web June 24,2013. http://www.unicef.org/esaro/5440_12849.html

Thluai-5