CONTEXT

In South Sudan, hunger means much more than an empty stomach. The data of the World Food Program (UN) speak of 40% of the population (5 million people) in need of food assistance. The most vulnerable are pregnant and lactating women and children between 6 months and 5 years. In this regard, UNICEF speaks of over 250,000 South Sudanese children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. A number that has more than doubled since the beginning of the internal crisis in the country which broke out in 2013.

Hunger significantly weakens the immune system. Without adequate nutrition, hungry children are particularly vulnerable, becoming too weak to fight curable diseases such as measles or an infection such as diarrhea, which can therefore cause death. Unfortunately, moreover, hunger is often inherited, which means that many children are already born underweight, due to insufficient maternal nutrition, before and during pregnancy.

OUR GOALS

• improve the health conditions of children and mothers
• offer outpatient and hospital services for the treatment of malnutrition-related diseases (including malaria)
• spread a greater awareness on breastfeeding practices, birth control and the importance of vaccinations
• promote hygienic-sanitary behavior in food preparation
• prevent diseases through specific prenatal care

The project aims to support the maternal and child nutrition and nutritional prevention program initiated by our local partner Arkangelo Ali Association at Marial Lou Hospital, the only health center within a radius of 100 kilometers located in Warrap County, in South Sudan.

BENEFICIARIES

• 400 children under the age of 5 who are malnourished and in need of therapeutic nutritional care
• 300 mothers who are breastfeeding
• 100 mothers with postpartum complications
• 4,000 mothers in need of learn more about health education for children and women