The total acute malnutrition burden estimate has increased from 2.1 million to 2.3 million children under five in need of treatment — a 10.5 percent increase, representing an additional 218,000 malnourished children. Additionally, 714,439 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to require treatment.

Out of the 80 counties analysed, 62 show a general deterioration in acute malnutrition. Three counties (Luakpiny/Nasir and Ulang) have moved from IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical) to IPC AMN Phase 5 (Extremely Critical), three counties (Gogrial East, Tonj North and Torit) hvae moved from IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious) to IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical), and five counties (Mundri East, Mundri West, Tambura and Nagero) have moved from IPC AMN Phase 2 (Alert) to IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious).

This deterioration is driven by renewed conflict, reduced access to health and WASH services, high disease burden (malaria, diarrhoea, cholera), and reduced humanitarian capacity.

With persistently high levels of acute malnutrition and food insecurity, urgent, coordinated, and multi-sectoral humanitarian action is critical to save lives, prevent further deterioration, and stabilise the situation in the most affected areas.

• Urgently improve access to conflict affected areas and “No Go Zones” to allow humanitarian support to reach people in need, namely Luakping/Nassir, Ulang and Longochuk counties in Upper Nile state.
• Provide lifesaving care and strengthen maternal infant and young child nutrition programs especially for counties classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 or above.
• Urgently scale up integrated interventions (Health, Nutrition, WASH, FSL, Protection) targeting the treatment of acute malnutrition particularly in counties classified in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical) and IPC AMN Phase 5 (Extremely Critical).
• Urgently support the rehabilitation of flood-affected and conflict-affected health facilities to increase services and treatment, and save lives.
• Reinforce monitoring, evaluation, and disease & nutrition surveillance and response, especially in areas with a high disease burden of cholera and malaria. Advance sanitation practices across communities to reduce disease transmission, particularly waterborne diseases like cholera.