 is urging the Government of South Sudan to dramatically increase and sustain domestic investment in essential social services, warning that without decisive action, millions of children will continue to be denied their fundamental rights.){kind=link}
By: Ginaba Lino
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is urging the Government of South Sudan to dramatically increase and sustain domestic investment in essential social services, warning that without decisive action, millions of children will continue to be denied their fundamental rights.
The call was issued on World Children’s Day, celebrated under the theme “My Day, My Right”, a reminder that every child has a universal and non-negotiable right to education, healthcare, nutritious food, clean water, and protection from harm.
UNICEF stressed that unless these basic entitlements are fully funded, South Sudan’s children will remain trapped in cycles of deprivation.
Observed annually on 20 November, World Children’s Day marks the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and serves as a rallying moment to spotlight the struggles of millions of children who still lack access to essential services.
UNICEF raised deep concerns about persistently low domestic financing for child-focused services, warning that the country cannot rely indefinitely on humanitarian aid to meet children’s needs.
The organization called on the government to urgently prioritize and execute budget allocations that directly benefit children, particularly as economic pressures threaten to push even more families into vulnerability.
“In South Sudan, children are bearing the brunt of multiple internal and external shocks that are not of their making. These include the climate crisis, insecurity, and rising poverty,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan.
While acknowledging the crucial role of development partners and donors, Skinner stressed that lasting progress requires consistent, deeper domestic budget commitments. “The true leap for children’s rights will happen when the government makes sustained and meaningful investments in social services—and ensures those funds are fully executed,” she said.
This year’s World Children’s Day coincides with the G20 Social Summit in South Africa, amplifying global advocacy for children’s rights at a critical moment. As part of the commemoration, UNICEF launched its flagship report, The State of the World’s Children 2025: Ending Child Poverty – Our Shared Imperative.
The report reveals that despite some progress, child poverty remains widespread and is increasingly threatened by overlapping crises—from conflict and climate shocks to economic instability. If urgent action is not taken, millions more children risk falling deeper into deprivation.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of South Sudan and partners to strengthen systems that protect children.
However, the organization stressed that South Sudan’s children cannot wait, urging leaders to translate promises into real, adequately funded programs that secure a safer, healthier, and more hopeful future for every child.