Hollywood star Liam Neeson has strongly criticized the reduction in aid to underprivileged nations following his recent trip to South Sudan. Neeson, a dedicated UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, spent six days in the landlocked country engaging with mothers of children who are facing severe malnutrition.
Approximately 2.3 million children in the conflict-affected region are currently in danger of extreme malnutrition, with almost half of them facing potential death if urgent intervention is not provided. The decrease in financial support from wealthier nations has led to the shutdown of 186 nutrition treatment facilities, leaving vulnerable families devoid of crucial assistance.
Expressing his distress, Neeson remarked, “Witnessing numerous malnourished children was truly heartbreaking. Their silence is eerie instead of laughter, their sleepiness instead of playfulness, their tears instead of smiles.”
UNICEF is anticipating a 20% decline in funding over the next four years, resulting in a situation where there are only five social workers available for every 100,000 children. Neeson, who also encountered young girls compelled into marriage, emphasized, “The global community must not ignore children like those I met in South Sudan. Reductions in funding are jeopardizing life-saving initiatives for children worldwide. We must either support them now or witness their futures slipping away.”
UNICEF is actively involved in South Sudan, providing treatment for severely malnourished children and educating on preventive measures such as enhancing diets and offering supplements to expectant mothers.
Reflecting on his experience in South Sudan, Liam shared, “In Bor, Jonglei State, I met Ajier, the mother of seven-month-old Lual Malek. She sought help at the nutrition center when a community volunteer noticed Lual’s weight loss.”
He continued, “Lual was enrolled in the outpatient program, and after three weeks, he is regaining weight. The effectiveness of this treatment is evident – volunteer mothers in villages are identifying and referring mothers whose children require assistance. Ajier and other mothers I encountered were clear: without these programs, their children would not have survived.”
During his visit, Liam also met individuals who had been forced into child marriages or coerced into joining gangs in the region. According to UNICEF, 50% of girls are at risk of child marriage, while 75% of girls and women are likely to experience gender-based violence in their lifetimes.