DISCLAIMER: Please note that this IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis was integrated with an IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis. Click here for the Acute Food Insecurity maps.
In 2022, around 1.34 million children under five years are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition based on the results of the SMART nutrition surveys, Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring System (FSNMS), and program admission trends. The highest burden is from Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Western Bahr el Ghazal States (concentrating 60% of the burden in four states for 2022). Between February and March 2022, a total of 49 (63%) counties were classified in Serious (IPC AMN Phase 3) and Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) acute malnutrition situations. Out of this, 23 counties were classified in a Critical situation.
The major factors contributing to acute malnutrition include high prevalence of diseases and inadequate feeding practices of infant and young children. Elevated levels of food insecurity (IPC Acute Food Insecurity Phase 3 or above) in most counties also contribute to acute malnutrition.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that this IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis was integrated with an IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis.
Humanitarian Food Assistance
Humanitarian food assistance must be scaled up immediately to save lives and prevent a total collapse of livelihoods in locations where populations were classified in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity.
Livelihood Support
Considering the diminished resilience of people, the high level of vulnerability to shocks, and the chronic nature of food insecurity and malnutrition, close collaboration between humanitarian & development programmes are needed to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition and enhance resilience.
Treatment
While ensuring universal treatment for acute malnutrition is a priority, attention must also be given to addressing the identified major contributing factors to prevent acute malnutrition in the future. Continued scale-up of treatment of acute malnutrition targeting the current and future caseload is a high priority. Further expansion of services to previously insecure areas for severe and moderate acute malnutrition treatment is also essential to reach the previously less accessible areas.
Collection and Analysis of Mortality Data
Partners should collect food security, nutrition, and mortality data in the most affected locations to verify these areas’ food security and nutrition situation for timely and appropriate response.