Millions at risk of starvation in South Sudan

The hunger emergency in South Sudan^[1] is described^[2] as "frightening" by Oxfam^[3]'s country director Zlatko Gegic. There are already 3.8 million people suffering from severe hunger in the conflict-torn nation.

But a new report^[4] says that number will tragically rise to 4.6 million this summer, because of the ongoing violence. Farmers simply cannot plant and grow food until peace is established.

Around 40 percent of the population will need life-saving food aid this summer. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) will be leading the emergency relief mission. But the UN food agency is low on funding. WFP South Sudan director Joyce Luma says, ^[5][6]

The needs are overwhelming at a time when resources are short. We need significantly more funding, not only to continue our existing assistance but also to scale up to support more people as the situation worsens.”

It is humanitarian aid from WFP and others that is preventing a famine in South Sudan. Delivering this aid is a major challenge too. WFP even has to do air drops of food into remote jungle areas.

The warring forces are being urged to allow full access to those in need. However, a lack of funding for humanitarian agencies could spiral the country into a major disaster.

WFP, which is voluntarily funded, needs around US $230 million to feed South Sudan. The single largest donor to WFP operations is the U.S. Food for Peace program, which Congress will be deciding funding on shortly.

References

1. ^{^} South Sudan (www.bing.com)
2. ^{^} described (www.oxfam.org.uk)
3. ^{^} Oxfam (www.bing.com)
4. ^{^} new report (reliefweb.int)
5. ^{^} World Food Programme (www.bing.com)
6. ^{^} says, (www.wfp.org)