Report on the Advocacy Mission to assess the situation of children in South Sudan 27. Observing the gravity of the plight of children in this regarded, the delegation was convinced on the estimate that 50 000 infants and young children face imminent death due to malnutrition in the coming few months. The situations is exacerbated by the onset of the rainy season, the conflict generally, and thediminished access of humanitarian aid to conflict sites. Education 28. The delegation was told that over 1200 schools were closed down in conflict affected States; Upper Nile, Jonglei and Western Equatorial. More than 75 schools are still occupied by armed forces. In many places, the education situation has deteriorated to the point where most children are not accessing education.3This is the case not only in the crisis States, but throughout the country. The effect of this is that a whole generation risks being lost altogether to the knowledge economy of the future. 3 According to UNICEF, South Sudan continues to be off-track to achieve universal participation, increased and equitable completion of quality primary education for all children. 57% of children in South Sudan currently don’t attend schools, and the figures are worse in conflict affected areas. There are also high level of dropouts and delayed entry. 18

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