World Vision South Sudan has launched the “Enough” Campaign, aimed at tackling child hunger and malnutrition. This initiative is expected to benefit over 3 million schoolchildren across South Sudan.
The campaign was officially launched at Dr. John Garang Primary School in Juba. Speaking at the event, Vice President and Chair of the Gender, Youth, and Humanitarian Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng, expressed her gratitude to World Vision for their continued support to the people of South Sudan. She highlighted the critical role that nutrition plays in children’s health and education, emphasizing that without proper nourishment, children cannot learn effectively or grow to their full potential.
Nyandeng reflected on her personal experience, stating, “For me, this is personal. I have raised my own children and many others during our long struggle for liberation. I know what it means for a child to go without food, and I know the transformation that happens when that child is well-nourished.”
She urged all South Sudanese to take collective responsibility in ending child hunger, stressing that it is not just a duty but a shared obligation. Nyandeng also extended an open invitation for schoolchildren to visit her home, where they can observe her farming activities as a model for ending hunger in the country.
World Vision South Sudan’s Country Director, Dr. Mesfin Loha, underscored the organization’s commitment to addressing child hunger by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. Loha cited alarming statistics, noting that over 5.8 million people in South Sudan are facing high levels of food insecurity, with 1.6 million children under five years old expected to suffer from malnutrition in 2024.
“World Vision recognizes that child hunger in South Sudan requires immediate action. Our ‘ENOUGH’ Campaign, a global initiative, aims to improve the nutrition of children living in the most vulnerable communities,” Loha said. He called on the government to ensure adequate access to nutritious food, sufficient funding, and political will to end child hunger and malnutrition.
Aachal Chand, Head of Human Capital Development, Nutrition, and School-Based Programs, praised World Vision for initiating this vital campaign. She emphasized that health and nutrition are essential for children’s well-being while at school and called for greater collaboration to implement school feeding programs in South Sudan.
“The World Food Programme is committed to working with the government and partners like World Vision to end hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan,” Chand added.
The “Enough” Campaign, launched on Wednesday in Juba, is expected to roll out across all ten states of South Sudan, with the goal of improving the nutrition and health of millions of children in the country.