17 April 2014 – With double the number of children now suffering from severe malnutrition in South Sudan, UNICEF today airlifted energy food into the country.

“Before the crisis, we estimated the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition at 108,000, but (now) we estimate it at 223,000 children,” said UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Priscilla Bayo. “Among these, 50,000 are going to die if we don’t respond immediately.”

Working with implementing partners, UNICEF will distribute plumpy nut (ready-to-eat therapeutic food) throughout South Sudan. A total of 10,300 cartons will be airlifted into the country on four charter flights, the first of which arrived today.

According to Ms. Bayo, the International Rescue Committee will use 2,575 cartons of supplies that arrived today to treat children in the Jonglei State capital Bor, Panyijar County in Unity and Aweil South County in Northern Bahr El-Ghazel.

“Plumpy nut is high in energy and protein,” said Ms. Bayo, explaining that the food was made up of peanut butter and milk, with vitamins and minerals added. “If a child is given (plumpy nut), the child will recover from severe malnutrition within two weeks.”

Ms. Bayo said the first four batches were being airlifted so that partners could immediately begin responding to the crisis, but a huge quantity was also expected to arrive by sea.

A media advisory from UNICEF said joint rapid response teams were implementing community based management of acute malnutrition by distributing therapeutic foods, routine medicines, Vitamin A and de-worming tablets.

“This fast and flexible approach is currently being deployed in remote, previously unreachable areas,” said the release. “The rapid response teams are fully integrated so they deliver health, water, hygiene, sanitation, education and child protection services and supplies as well.”