Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise in areas affected by floods, droughts and droughtst, and some communities are likely to face famine unless aid is maintained and climate adaptation measures are expanded.
About two thirds of the population, more than 7.7 million people, will not be able to eat during the lean season from April to July, while 1.4 million children will be malnourished.
Climate impact, increased demand
The IPC Report is the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Program (WFP).
It was released on the same day as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) published a report calling on the international community to prioritize climate adaptation.
The proportion of South Sudanese citizens facing crisis levels due to food insecurity and malnutrition is higher than that seen during the conflicts in 2013 and 2016.
Millions of people are at risk
While a combination of factors contributed to the crisis – namely violence, poor macroeconomic conditions, extreme climate events and rising food and fuel costs – funding for humanitarian programs also declined despite increased demand.
“We’ve been in starvation prevention mode all year and have prevented the worst outcomes, but this is not enough,” speak Makena Walker, WFP Acting Country Director.
“South Sudan is on the front lines of the climate crisis and day after day, families are losing their homes, livestock, fields and hope to inclement weather. Without humanitarian food assistance, millions of others would fall into increasingly dire situations and be unable to provide even the most basic food for their families.”
Non-stop floods
The world’s youngest country has faced years of flooding that is exacerbating already high hunger due to ongoing conflict and the global food crisis.
Flooding has severely affected the central regions of the country, which also has the highest level of food insecurity.
FAO Representative Meshack Malo emphasized the essential need for livelihood support to increase self-reliance in food production.
This potential still exists, he said, as South Sudan produces about 840,000 tonnes of grain in 2021, a difficult year given climate change, flooding, conflict and other factors.
Nyadend Majok stands in her sorghum plantation devastated by floods in Padeah, Unity State, South Sudan.
Deep nutrition crisis
“With the current grain deficit of 541,000 tonnes, urgent investment for rural livelihood he said.
Despite slight improvements in food security in some parts of the country, the nutrition crisis is deepening.
All counties, except one, showed worsening nutrition through June 2023, including 44 with severe conditions.
UN agencies have highlighted the urgent need for funding, warning that they will not be able to prepare humanitarian assistance in time for next year, which could push millions of families into dire straits. more hungry.
