By Matik Kueth
The government of the Republic of South Korea has announced a $5 million contribution to UNICEF to bolster lifesaving and resilience programmes for children and families in South Sudan, as humanitarian needs in the country continue to soar.
The funding targets critical sectors including education, child protection, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), at a time when South Sudan is grappling with overlapping crises driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
The financial injection comes as 10 million people, including 5.3 million children, require humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF.
The education sector remains one of the hardest hit, with more than 2.8 million school-age children out of school, while a worsening food crisis is expected to push over 7 million people into acute food insecurity by mid-2026. Malnutrition alone is affecting more than 2 million children under the age of five.
The one-year funding is designed not only to address immediate needs but also to strengthen systems that can withstand recurring shocks, including extreme climate events.
Under the Programme, school-based resilience and holistic education initiatives will help both in-school and out-of-school children access safe and inclusive learning environments, including early childhood development services.
UNICEF said the approach aims to improve children’s well-being and keep learners in school.
Part of the funding will go toward life-saving nutrition interventions, targeting children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women will also receive nutritional counselling to reduce risks to both mothers and infants.
In crisis-affected areas, the funds will support resilient WASH programmes, expanding access to safe drinking water and enabling the construction and rehabilitation of emergency sanitation facilities, particularly for children and women.
The protection component of the funding will focus on women, girls, and young people, improving access to gender-based violence prevention and response services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support, reintegration assistance, and livelihood opportunities.
“This significant contribution from the Republic of Korea is vital to help UNICEF meet the large humanitarian needs of women and children and strengthen resilience,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan.
She added, “This funding demonstrates a strong commitment to the children of South Sudan. It will enable UNICEF to provide not only immediate relief but also to invest in sustainable programmes for health, protection, and education.”
Skinner also urged cooperation from all parties, saying, “We call on all stakeholders to facilitate unhindered access to every child to implement our lifesaving and resilience-focused programmes.”
The Republic of Korea described the funding as part of its broader commitment to protecting vulnerable children in fragile contexts.
Kyoo-ho Lee, Director-General, Development Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continue delivering lifesaving services to the South Sudanese people.
“We are proud to partner with UNICEF in delivering life-saving services to the most vulnerable children in South Sudan. This contribution reflects the Republic of Korea’s enduring solidarity with the people of South Sudan and our commitment to ensuring children’s survival, safety, and access to education, protection, nutrition, and clean water in times of crisis,” he stated.
Humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained financial support, the scale of need in South Sudan will continue to outpace available resources, leaving millions of children at risk.