KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Doctors Without Borders says children in parts of South Sudan are suffering from shocking rates of malnutrition.
The group said in a statement Monday that more than 13,270 children, most under the age of 5, have been admitted to its feeding programs in South Sudan so far this year, compared to 18,125 admissions during all of 2013. It said malnutrition rates have “skyrocketed” in parts of Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei States — three states that have seen serious fighting since violence erupted in South Sudan in December.
Amid ongoing fighting between government troops and rebels loyal to a former deputy president, aid groups have been warning of a humanitarian crisis in the world’s newest country.
More than 1 million South Sudanese remain internally displaced.
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