By Matik Kueth
An escalating wave of violence in Jonglei State has pushed tens of thousands of children into a deepening humanitarian crisis, the UNICEF warned on Tuesday.
In a statement, the agency reported that an estimated 100,000 people have fled Akobo town to neighboring Ethiopia following an evacuation order, leaving families displaced and children increasingly vulnerable.
Critical infrastructure has not been spared, with Akobo Hospital looted and forced to shut down, cutting off essential medical services.
Since January 1, at least 28 health and nutrition facilities in Jonglei have been either destroyed or looted, further crippling an already fragile system.
Across the country, there have been 17 reported incidents involving the theft of vital health, nutrition, water, and sanitation supplies, with 80 percent of them occurring in Jonglei State alone.
The consequences for children are severe
UNICEF says malnutrition rates among displaced children have reached alarming levels, with approximately one in four children under the age of five now malnourished.
Despite the insecurity, UNICEF has delivered 220 metric tons of life-saving supplies to affected populations in some areas.
However, the agency notes that access to many communities remains a significant challenge due to ongoing violence and instability.
The agency further called for urgent action to protect children and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, warning that without immediate intervention, the situation could deteriorate further.