Bentiu, Unity State – More than 6,000 vulnerable mothers and children affected by severe flooding in Bentiu have received critical nutrition assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), thanks to generous funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
The US$400,000 contribution enabled WFP to procure and distribute specialized nutritious foods, including Super Cereal Plus, a fortified blended food, and Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (Plumpy’Doz). These items are designed to prevent acute malnutrition among children aged six months and older, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Years of relentless flooding in Bentiu have submerged vast areas, displaced thousands of families, and increased the prevalence of waterborne diseases—all factors that contribute to dangerously high malnutrition rates, particularly among young children.
“As hunger and malnutrition continue to outpace available resources, support for nutrition programmes is more vital than ever,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan.
“Getting the right nutrition to young children and mothers at the right time not only saves lives—it gives children a chance to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Our partnership with KSrelief is helping make that possible.”
The intervention comes at a critical time, with an estimated 7.7 million people across South Sudan facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above)—including around 2.1 million children projected to suffer from malnutrition this year.
WFP and KSrelief have been working together globally since 2015, and began their collaboration in South Sudan in 2018. This latest contribution further strengthens their shared commitment to improving nutrition and health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations.
