Thousands of South Sudanese kids face starvation: Unicef

Thousands of children, up to five years age, are at a risk of dying from malnutrition in South Sudan, the Unicef has warned.

About 1.5 million people will be at crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity from September through December, it added.

"Thousands of malnourished children who have not yet been reached remain in peril," Xinhua quoted Jonathan Veitch, the Unicef's representative in South Sudan, as saying Tuesday.

The latest analysis conducted by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) group of experts says that despite temporary improvements in the food security situation,the outlook for 2015 remains dire.

Estimates show that 2.5 million people will be at crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity from January to March. Children, who are most vulnerable to food shortages, are at even greater risk.

"We have to take advantage of the coming dry season -- and passable roads -- to preposition life-saving supplies for the treatment of children suffering from malnutrition. It is critical that we are able to accelerate our response during this window of opportunity," said Veitch.