A health organization reports that nearly 300 children are malnourished in Manawan IDP Camp in Twic County, northern Warrap State. The area hosts people who fled violence in neighboring Unity State. 

In recent weeks health workers in the camp vaccinated over 1,000 children against a number of diseases, and they also screened them for malnutrition.

In an update Wednesday on its website, the aid organization GOAL reported that “293 children were found to be suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.” That figure represents 28% of the total 1,038 children screened for malnutrition.

The children “were given appropriate treatment,” reported GOAL, which is providing primary and reproductive healthcare at Manawan. The organization has worked in Twic County for many years, but scaled up its operations recently in response to the latest crisis.

“A further 49 children were found with severe malnutrition, almost all were referred to an Outpatient Therapeutic Programme, but one child needed specialist care in a stabilisation centre,” the update added. 

In the Manawan area GOAL is operating a mobile health clinic since 21 January. It provided consultations to 200 pregnant women, and also to sick people suffering from respiratory infections, malaria and diarrhoea. 

In an emergency context, malnutrition is normally assessed by either a weight to height ratio measurement, or by a mid-upper arm circumference test. Children found with severe malnutrition in Manawan may be referred to a treatment centre which was set up by the organization Action Against Hunger.

Action Against Hunger is reported to be working in the area alongside GOAL and the World Food Programme. Besides setting up the treatment centre, the organization distributed thousands of nutrient biscuits and other foods to children in the area.

File photo: A child undergoing a mid-upper arm circumference test, which helps diagnose malnutrition (MSF)