Eluzai, the PTA chairman, says one of the major decisions they made recently was to make nutrition a priority in the school’s programmes. “I am well aware of the economic hardship in the country, but nutritious food like vegetables, whole grains and beans don’t cost a lot. Proper nutrition is crucial to consider when you care for kids, as it protects them against malnourishment, maintains a healthy immune system, prevents obesity and reduces the risk of chronic disease,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet throughout life supports normal growth, development and ageing, leading to overall health and wellbeing. Save the Children says hunger forces more young people in South Sudan to drop out of school, putting girls at risk of early marriage and sexual exploitation, and forcing some boys into crime.

The UK charity supports hungeraffected households and livelihoods with cash transfers to promote positive nutrition practices, infant and young child feeding practices and distributes emergency food in South Sudan.

It says in its 2022 annual report that South Sudan is facing its worst ever hunger crisis since independence, with at least 7.2 million people or 65 percent of the population on the brink of starvation amid civil war, climate shocks and high food prices. Some 1.4 million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, the highest figure since 2013.