Over 24,000 children protected in Twic County during the first round of seasonal malaria prevention
South Sudan · Twic County
In Twic County, South Sudan, more than 24,000 children have been protected against malaria during the first round of a seasonal prevention campaign. Working with the Twic County Health Department, MSF teams completed a seven-day round of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) from 23 to 29 June 2026, reaching children before the disease peaks in the rainy season.
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness in South Sudan and accounts for 50 per cent of deaths in the country, according to the World Health Organization, with cases increasing during the rainy season. National Ministry of Health data show persistently high numbers, with 3.6 million cases reported in 2022, 3.8 million in 2023, and 3.8 million in 2024, reflecting consistently high transmission throughout the year and peaking during the rainy season from July to November.
The burden in Twic County
In Twic County, Warrap State, malaria continues to account for a significant proportion of consultations in health facilities and community-based services. Children under five remain the most vulnerable, experiencing higher rates of severe illness and hospital admission than older age groups.
To help protect children during the high-transmission season, MSF teams, in collaboration with the Twic County Health Department, completed the first round of a seven-day seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign from 23 to 29 June 2026. This year, the programme’s expansion to three additional locations enabled broader coverage, reaching more children at risk of malaria.
The first round in figures
During this first round, 24,498 children aged 3 to 59 months across 12 locations were given preventive malaria treatment in Twic County, including sites in Majook Noon, Abin Dau, Aweng, Gomgoi, Wunrok, Wunrieng and Panyok, among others.
Screening for malnutrition alongside prevention
The campaign also included nutritional screening, resulting in 23,215 children being screened for malnutrition. More than 500 children with moderate and severe malnutrition were referred for further care to designated nutritional care centres.
More rounds ahead
With malaria transmission expected to peak in the rainy season, additional SMC rounds are planned in the coming months to provide continued protection for children throughout the malaria season.
By combining malaria prevention, nutrition screening and community engagement, MSF and its partners are helping to reduce severe illness, identify vulnerable children early, and improve access to essential healthcare across Twic County.
Ends
