Health
Helping children survive and thrive from the beginning of life
Challenge
South Sudan is one of the most challenging countries in the world for a child.
Poor access to health services, a limited number of health workers and lack of access to health services have produced some of the worst health indicators in the world, with a child mortality rate of 78 deaths per 1,000 live births. Around 75 per cent of all child deaths in South Sudan are due to preventable diseases, such as diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia.
The latest briefing note on the health situation in South Sudan
Giving birth on the floor, cutting the umbilical cord with a stick. That is the reality for some women in South Sudan
Solution
Ensuring every child has access to health services
UNICEF is educating community health workers to bring services to people living in areas where the nearest clinic is more than five kilometers away. This will significantly increase access to health services and increase resilience. Essential drugs and equipment will be provided to support the treatment of diseases. Through routine immunization and catch-up campaigns, children will be protected from preventable and life-threatening diseases.
No child is too far. To reach children in the most inaccessible areas in South Sudan we use integrated rapid response missions.