An official from the UN agency for children called upon South Sudan authorities to spend more on the welfare of children and less on its army.
UNICEF representative in Khartoum Nils Arne Kastberg told the media on Saturday that malaria, diarrhea and measles were the major killers of children in South Sudan adding that things could be improved if the government fed more children than soldiers.Mr. Kastberg called for more investment in the area of water sanitation to minimize the number of children dying of diarrhea.
He said South Sudan has the worst maternal mortality rate worldwide and called upon the government to protect the mothers at birth like they protect the SPLA soldiers.
Mr. Kastberg named education as another sector that was neglected and very few pupils complete eighth grade.
He called for the training of more teachers.
Mr. Kastberg said these are some of the top priorities that should be the pillar of the new South Sudan after the declaration of independence in July.