South Sudan Faces Dire Hunger Crisis Amidst Escalating Conflict

Recent reports indicate that nearly 7.7 million people in South Sudan are experiencing severe food insecurity due to escalating conflict, particularly affecting returnees from Sudan. The ongoing crisis is exacerbated by a cholera outbreak and climate shocks, with women and girls being hit hardest. The WFP calls for urgent donor support to avert disaster as humanitarian efforts face significant challenges amid violence and resource shortages.

In northeastern South Sudan, hunger has reached alarming heights, with approximately 7.7 million individuals now facing severe food insecurity, as reported by the United Nations’ emergency food relief agency. This crisis has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict, specifically impacting returnees fleeing violence in Sudan, who constitute nearly half of those suffering from catastrophic hunger. The influx of over 1.1 million displaced persons into already vulnerable communities has severely strained available resources and relief efforts, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

The situation is poised to worsen further as the region enters the pre-harvest lean season. To avert a deepening humanitarian disaster, the WFP is urgently appealing to donors for enhanced support. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, country director for the WFP in South Sudan, stated, “This is among the worst levels of food insecurity that we have ever seen in the country since the independence.” She emphasized the profound impact of conflict on hunger, remarking that communities have lost nearly all means of survival and have fled with only the clothes on their backs.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011 but has since faced continuous conflict and instability. A civil war ignited in 2013 between supporters of President Salva Kiir and those of his former deputy, Riek Machar, marked by ethnic violence and humanitarian crises. Although a fragile peace agreement was reached in 2018, rising tensions among South Sudanese leaders, including Machar’s recent house arrest, have raised concerns regarding a potential return to civil war.

In addition to hunger, the crisis is compounded by a cholera outbreak in the unstable Upper Nile state. In response, the WFP has airlifted 35 metric tons of supplies to affected areas, with plans to distribute assistance to over 450,000 individuals facing emergency and catastrophic hunger levels. However, ongoing clashes have hindered humanitarian efforts, resulting in the suspension of food distributions in six counties. The WFP indicated, “We and our partners have the food ready to deliver and distribute once conditions allow.”

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the intensifying conflict and hunger, often fleeing insecurity multiple times. Many face the risk of sexual exploitation and violence while searching for basic necessities such as food and water. In response, UN agencies, including the UNFPA, are providing safe spaces offering shelter, counseling, skills training, and crucial information regarding gender-based violence prevention. Nevertheless, funding cuts threaten these initiatives; at least two safe spaces face closure by May, jeopardizing support for thousands of women and girls. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, asserted, “In the face of this crisis, every dollar matters, every intervention counts, and every life saved is a step toward peace.” However, the agency urgently requires $8.8 million to sustain its vital services, garnering only a fraction of the required funds.

The crisis in South Sudan is marked by a severe humanitarian emergency, with millions grappling with hunger due to ongoing conflict and upheaval. The situation is dire for returnees from Sudan, and women and girls face the greatest risks. Urgent support from international donors is essential to address food insecurity and provide necessary services to vulnerable populations, particularly amid increasingly perilous conditions. The imminent closure of safe spaces for women highlights the critical need for adequate funding to ensure ongoing assistance and protection.

Original Source: news.un.org