Alarming child malnutrition rates in Aweil South

A nutritional survey in Aweil South County, northern Bahr al-Ghazal, by Action Against Hunger (USA) and the British-based NGO Tearfund from 29 July to 11 August indicated alarming rates of malnutrition among children under five years, with hundreds at risk of dying and thousands endangered. The survey indicated global malnutrition rates as high as 21.9 percent and 3.1 percent acute malnutrition, according to a summary report from the NGOs. The figures rose to 30 percent (global malnutrition) and 6 percent (acute malnutrition) for the most vulnerable category: those children between six and 29 months, they added. The figures indicated that about 2,000 children were at risk of dying, and 250 facing immediate danger - from an overall under 5 population of about 8,400, it said. In addition, analysis revealed that almost two-thirds of children who were in the ‘well-nourished’ category were, in fact, of marginal nutritional status. “Much as the mild and moderately malnourished children could recover (with increased food availability and better health care), concern still remains for the severely malnourished children, who will not directly benefit from either an isolated food or health intervention,” according to Tearfund. The principle causes for high malnutrition rates were identified as poor primary health care and low access to drinking water, which led Action Against Hunger and Tearfund to recommend, among other things: blanket food supplementation to children under 5 years; the opening of a therapeutic feeding centre for the severely malnourished; reestablishment of the primary health care system, with particular attention to drugs and treatment for malaria, respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea; and a continuous, expanded programme on immunisation - with particular emphasis on measles. More generally, the two NGOs expressed concern that, while malnutrition figures such as those in Aweil South have come to be considered “generally acceptable” in southern Sudan (as a result of the duration and severity of the civil war), “these figures are significantly above alert levels” and pushing emergency proportions. Following a health and nutrition meeting among humanitarian partners in Lokichoggio, northern Kenya, this week, WFP has decided to increase ration sizes from 25 percent to 50 percent [of recommended daily calorific intake], meaning that some 170 mt of additional food will be available for Aweil South this month. “Tearfund and Action Against Hunger continue to be very concerned at food security levels in Aweil South,” Tearfund programme director for southern Sudan, Fergus Drake, told IRIN on Friday.