South Sudan: four million have no food

The UN World Food Programme^[1] (WFP), in a press release yesterday, says^[2] that 3.9 million in South Sudan^[3] are living in hunger. With conflict ongoing, around 30,000 are facing starvation in parts of Unity State, because they are blocked from humanitarian agencies.

WFP said that China^[4] made a donation of US $ 5 million to help support relief operations. The funds will be used in the states most affected by war and hunger including Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei.

With funding low for WFP operations, every contribution is critical. Joyce Luma, WFP Country Director in South Sudan, says, “China’s generosity comes at a crucial moment when we must support people who are on the brink of a hunger calamity in remote parts of the conflict-affected states. We are working around the clock with our partners to save lives, and this support from China helps address a critical need.”

WFP's George Fominyen reports^[5] that every means possible is being used to reach the hungry, including air drops. Many of the hungry are in areas which cannot be reached by road. Fighting and poor infrastructure limits relief agencies movements.

The food shortages are severe. People will trek for miles to reach WFP food distribution points.

Theresa Nyalam, who comes from Padiang, told Fominyen, "We have no food in my village. The situation is difficult. There was fighting that made people run away, then there were floods and then insects came and ate everything that was left."

WFP, and partners like World Vision and UNICEF, are the only things saving the country from outright famine. The conflict in South Sudan must end, otherwise hunger will continue to affect millions.

References

1. ^{^} World Food Programme (www.bing.com)
2. ^{^} says (www.wfp.org)
3. ^{^} South Sudan (www.bing.com)
4. ^{^} China (www.bing.com)
5. ^{^} reports (www.wfp.org)