UNICEF says it will start to reach communities in violence-affected areas with lifesaving assistance once the mud and waters dry up.

The UN agency’s spokesperson, Sarah Crowe, says Child malnutrition has doubled in the last year with around 80,000 children affected.

Ms Crowe said the condition of children in South Sudan has deteriorated due to diseases, schools wrecked and UN warehouses which were looted.

“It’s driven hundreds of thousands of children from their homes, schools and communities, subjecting them to violence, malnutrition and disease,” said Ms Crowe.

“What we’re seeing is a future for a generation of children in South Sudan is really being stolen by this conflict.”

She says the situation is particularly acute in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states.

So far, UNICEF has also given about 1.9 million children a vitamin A supplement to boost their immunity, according to the agency.