Survey suggests rising malnutrition and child mortality in Yida Camp

Key Messages

• As a result of conflict in Sudan, the Yida camp in South Sudan now hosts nearly 60,000 refugees, with 300‐500 new arrivals each day. Refugees arrive in poor condition, and the water/sanitation situation is deteriorating, in part due to the onset of seasonal rains. A FEWS NET nutrition and food security survey conducted in early July 2012 suggests that both malnutrition and child mortality have reached emergency levels.

• The survey results indicate a GAM prevalence of 21.8 percent and a SAM prevalence of 6.1 percent (WHO). The GAM prevalence is higher than the WHO Emergency threshold of 15 percent.

• The crude death rate over the 90 days preceding the survey is estimated at 0.76/10,000/day. The death rate for children under 5 years of age during this same period is estimated at 2.15/10,000/day. The child death rate is especially concerning given that the survey data indicates an increasing frequency of child mortality over the past three months.

• Prompt action by national and international partners is required. Better access to water, improved sanitation facilities, an expansion of nutrition treatment programs, and improved screening for malnutrition are priorities.