“To eradicate hunger and Malnutrition: Everyone has a role to play:” - World Food Day 2021

On the anniversary of World Food Day which is observed every year on October 16^th, the world should celebrate resilient communities in South Sudan that continue to fight to survive amidst the impact of climate change, violence and displacement that disrupts livelihoods and the key driver for food insecurity.  Food is a basic human right which means everybody is entitled to enjoy the right to food however many can’t. 

Across the globe, and South Sudan in particular hunger is one of the most significant causes of Malnutrition related death exacerbated every year due to the shortage of food as many vulnerable people can’t afford even a single square meal per day and women and children continue to bear the brunt.

According to integrated phase classification (IPC)analysis released in October 2020 estimated 6.35 million people (52.6% of the population) to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, of which 2.102 million people faced Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity. An estimated 24,000 people were classified in Catastrophe1 (IPC Phase 5) acute food insecurity in main part of the countries where more than 50% of their respective populations are facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity in unity where CARE implements activities. In the second projection period of April to July 2021, an estimated 7.24 million people (60% of the population) is projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, during this period, an estimated 2.47 million is likely to be in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity and food insecurity levels will remain elevated due to insecurity, the effects of COVID-19, persistent poor macroeconomic conditions, and the impact of flooding on livelihoods.

It’s against this background that CARE together with government is working around the clock to create resilient activities through capacity building of the local farmers in order to increase production of nutritious foods, and at the same time be more sustainable by producing food in large scale both for consumption and commercial but also reducing food loss and wastage. We create awareness in the community on the importance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. In efforts to mitigate climate change, environmental degradation encouraging farmers to use modern farming system. In addition, CARE has strengthened a food movement that advocates for ambitious change through food security & livelihood and Nutrition projects funded by Food and Agriculture organization (FAO), WFP and UNICEF implemented in Pariang and other part of the counties.

CARE’s Food Security and livelihood project (Food for asset) targets 1002 beneficiaries aimed at providing direct food based transfers to meet the consumption gap of the most vulnerable persons (i.e. short-term access to food), build household and community assets that reduce the risk of disaster, strengthen livelihoods and build resilience over time and to improve on their food security and livelihood status, as well as skills and knowledge development. Meanwhile the FAO project also supports in improving Food Security and Livelihood Development through the Provision of Emergency Livelihood farms inputs ranging from Crop kits, fishing kits to Vegetable kits to support 6000 Households affected by the ongoing crisis.

Through our Nutrition project, CARE supports emergency lifesaving Integrated Emergency Nutrition Response to Malnourished Children of Under Five Years of Age with severe malnutrition, moderate malnutrition malnourished Pregnant/Lactating women and institution feeding program for caregivers in stabilization center and HIV/TB patient. The program includes Out Patient therapeutic feeding program /Targeted supplementary Feeding program /inpatient care which focus at providing treatment for malnourished children 6-59 months who severely and moderately Malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women (PLW)   with specialized nutritious food and also provide nutrition counselling to improve their nutritional status and PLW, in additional, we also do MIYCN focused at counselling mothers and caregivers on recommended feeding practices and its done by mother support groups across our project sites.

As a result, CARE has screened and treated 3407 children with Severe malnutrition and 6390 children who are moderately malnourished within the period of 8 months this year in Pariang county. This indicates that the malnutrition prevalence is so alarming and it’s because, most of the household are food insecure. In light of diversifying the house hold diet, CARE will continue to empower women on vegetable cultivation and cooking demonstration. This is done to improve their skill in practicing recommended feeding practices for the children and PLW. To build more resilient communities will take a collective effort, everyone plays a critical role; “Our actions are our future- Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”.

CARE providing conditional food for the targeted Beneficiaries after out puts. The food is provided in phases, first after land preparation of the allocated garden, planting, weeding, harvesting and storage

Distribution of seed and other farm inputs from FAO beneficiaries and nursery bed for vegetables

CARE treating Pregnant malnutrition mother with Specialized therapeutic food (CSB++). All the mothers admitted in supplementary feeding program are followed up on weekly basis till recovered.