Highlights
• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) was endorsed by the Council of Ministers and announced by the Government of South Sudan. An estimated 3.9 million people (3.1 million in Crisis, 800,000 in Emergency and 30,000 in Catastrophe) or 34 per cent of the population are classified as severely food and nutrition insecure in September. This is an 80 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Of extreme concern is the estimated 30,000 people in Unity State who are experiencing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) and are likely to deteriorate into famine in the absence of urgent and immediate humanitarian access.
• On 15 October, Global Hand Washing Day was celebrated across many locations in South Sudan including Bentiu, Malakal, Bor PoCs and other IDP sites under the theme “Raise Clean Hands and Push Cholera out of South Sudan”. More than 800,000 people mainly school children participated in the celebrations by washing their hands with soap and clean water in a symbolic show of how the practice is key in fighting cholera and other water-borne related diseases. The day included events ranging from a radio campaign and public address system promoting key Cholera prevention messages to drama, dance and songs presented by school children and soap distribution in Cholera hotspots, schools, markets and PoCs.