{"id":7439,"date":"2025-11-01T09:03:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=7439"},"modified":"2025-11-01T09:03:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:03:04","slug":"liam-neeson-visits-south-sudan-as-unicef-goodwill-ambassador-urges-global-action-amid-funding-cuts-threatening-childrens-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=7439","title":{"rendered":"Liam Neeson Visits South Sudan as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Urges Global Action Amid Funding Cuts Threatening Children\u2019s Lives.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Liam Neeson Visits South Sudan as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Urges Global Action Amid Funding Cuts Threatening Children\u2019s Lives.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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JUBA\/NEW YORK:<\/em><\/p>\n

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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and acclaimed actor Liam Neeson<\/strong> has made an emotional visit to South Sudan<\/strong>, calling for renewed global commitment to protect the country\u2019s children as severe funding cuts threaten life-saving humanitarian programmes.<\/p>\n

During his six-day visit<\/strong>, Neeson witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of economic shocks, climate change, poverty, and insecurity<\/strong> on South Sudan\u2019s youngest citizens \u2014 especially girls \u2014 as the nation grapples with a growing humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n

According to UNICEF, 2.3 million children<\/strong> in South Sudan are currently at risk of severe acute malnutrition<\/strong>, a 10.5 per cent increase from last year. Almost 200 nutrition treatment sites<\/strong> have already shut down due to a funding shortfall, leaving mothers and children without essential care.<\/p>\n

\u201cI visited the main referral hospital in Juba and was deeply saddened by seeing so many malnourished children,\u201d said Neeson. \u201cThey are hauntingly quiet when they should be laughing, sleeping when they should be playing, crying when they should be smiling. With treatment sites closing around the country, I ask myself \u2014 what will happen to those children?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At a nutrition centre in Bor, Jonglei State<\/strong>, Neeson met Ajier<\/strong>, the mother of seven-month-old Lual Malek<\/strong>, who is recovering from severe malnutrition after receiving treatment from UNICEF-supported health workers. \u201cIt\u2019s clear this treatment is working,\u201d Neeson said. \u201cVolunteer mothers in villages are finding and referring children who need help. Without these programmes, many would not survive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond malnutrition, the actor also met young people who have endured child marriage, violence, and gang involvement<\/strong>. In South Sudan, half of all girls are at risk of child marriage<\/strong>, and three out of four women and girls<\/strong> will experience gender-based violence<\/strong> in their lifetime.<\/p>\n

At the Gredo Youth Centre<\/strong> in Juba, Neeson met Alan Rugumoch<\/strong>, a 20-year-old who found stability through youth programmes supported by UNICEF. He also visited the Young Dreamers Sports Academy<\/strong>, founded by former gang member Alaak Kuku<\/strong>, which now engages 2,000 children<\/strong> in sports and mentoring activities each week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was hugely impressed by Kuku,\u201d Neeson said. \u201cWith a little support and a lot of hope, he built a thriving sports academy that gives children purpose and protection. He proves how much can be achieved when young people are given a chance.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UNICEF warns that child protection services<\/strong> have been among the hardest hit by funding reductions. The number of social workers has plummeted from 25 per 100,000 children<\/strong> to fewer than five<\/strong>, leaving over 500 trained social workers<\/strong> jobless and thousands of children without critical protection.<\/p>\n

UNICEF\u2019s Country Representative in South Sudan, Noala Skinner<\/strong>, described Neeson\u2019s visit as timely and essential.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiam Neeson\u2019s visit comes at a critical time when we desperately need to shine a light on the children of this young nation,\u201d Skinner said. \u201cWith declining foreign assistance, the situation is dire. We are deeply grateful to the donors who continue to stand with South Sudan, but sustained investment is urgently needed to secure children\u2019s futures.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UNICEF projects that global funding<\/strong> for its programmes could fall by at least 20 per cent<\/strong> over the next four years, a decline that could jeopardize nutrition, education, and protection efforts for millions of children worldwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world cannot turn its back on children like those I met in South Sudan,\u201d Neeson urged. \u201cFunding cuts are threatening life-saving programmes for children everywhere. Investing in children means investing in a stable, peaceful future for all. We either stand with them now \u2014 or watch their future slip away.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Liam Neeson Visits South Sudan as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Urges Global Action Amid Funding Cuts Threatening Children\u2019s Lives.\u00a0   JUBA\/NEW YORK:   UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador […]<\/p>\n

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