KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Humanitarian organizations are increasingly concerned regarding severely deteriorating food security conditions in South Sudan. An estimated 7 million people are vulnerable to food insecurity, with 3.7 million people at high risk, according to the U.N. Malnutrition levels are also increasing, and the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 222,700 children may require treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the coming months—more than double the number of children requiring treatment in 2013.
As the April-to-August rainy season intensifies, relief organizations are scaling up efforts to support infrastructure improvements and voluntary relocations at congested UNMISS bases to mitigate health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) risks associated with flooding and standing water.
In recent days, clashes in Upper Nile State near Melut town resulted in the displacement of approximately 103,000 people to Kodok, Lul, and Wau Shiluk towns. The fluid security situation continues to create challenges for relief organizations attempting to track and provide assistance to displaced populations.
U.N. agencies continue to expand activities in conflict-affected areas through the new Inter-Rapid Response Mechanism. Multi-sector teams are reaching populations with health, nutrition, child protection, and WASH support in remote areas, including Akobo town, Jonglei State; Mayendit and Nyal towns, Unity State; and Melut town, Upper Nile State.