Famine is at risk of spreading to a third county in South Sudan in the absence of food aid, a new report from a U.S.-backed monitoring group says, with the United Nations warning on Sunday that hundreds of thousands of children could die without assistance.
The report from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network says starvation is likely to occur in Koch county in the absence of humanitarian aid.
In February, the UN and South Sudan's government officially declared a famine in Leer and Mayendit counties, with a million people said to be at risk.
The new report says famine is likely to spread further during the months of July to September, the lean season for South Sudan's farmers.
A man-made famine
And without the presence of humanitarian aid groups, even more parts of the country would be at risk of famine, including the southern Yei region and the eastern Jonglei area, the report says.
The UN and others say the famine is man-made, a result of a three-year civil war that has made the country home to one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
The fighting has blocked aid in some regions, and the government has been accused by aid groups of restricting access. Officials deny that this is the case.
'Without sustained humanitarian assistance hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of death' - James Elder, UN children's agency spokesperson
"Humanitarian access is still likely to remain volatile throughout the outlook period in many areas," the new report warns, citing the spread of conflict since fighting erupted anew in the capital, Juba, in July.
"Families have hit a tipping point, and without sustained humanitarian assistance hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of death," James Elder, a spokesman for the UN children's agency, said Sunday.
Fighting blocks aid
On Wednesday, a UN base in Leer county came under attack from the direction of the government-held town, according to the UN. There were no deaths, but aid has been limited as a result of the fighting.
"The people are hungry and deprived as the result of the famine. However, it is clear the attackers have no consideration for their plight, given those who most desperately need help will suffer more because of a likely resulting delay of humanitarian aid," David Shearer, head of the UN mission in South Sudan, said in a statement.
Newer articles:
- Uganda seeks $2 billion for South Sudan refugees at planned summit - 09/05/2017 10:47
- Gunmen attack South Sudan vice president's convoy, injuring bodyguards - 09/05/2017 09:23
- South Sudan Suspends National Dialogue Steering Committee - 08/05/2017 17:10
- New Rebel Group Threatens to Intensify South Sudan's Civil War - 08/05/2017 10:59
- South Sudan child refugees top one million: UN - 08/05/2017 01:49
Older news items
- South Sudan: UN deploys peacekeepers to enable aid delivery to Upper Nile's Aburoc area - 07/05/2017 07:04
- 13 killed in South Sudan highway attack - 06/05/2017 07:41
- 'When you're dealing with children, it's always going to hit home': Margaret Evans on South Sudan - 06/05/2017 03:14
- Canada ready to do more to battle famine in South Sudan, Trudeau says - 05/05/2017 14:05
- Residents say South Sudan troops remove 5,000 from church - 05/05/2017 09:24
Latest news items (all categories):
- Hope for Christmas gift as South Sudan talks return to Nairobi - 05/12/2024 10:26
- Chinese medical team brings relief to South Sudan patients - 05/12/2024 10:18
- Sudanese bishop speaks about being brutalized by soldiers - 05/12/2024 10:08
- President Biden: Absent Principles - No Honoring Words - Broken Promises - 05/12/2024 09:55
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan begins rollout of second dose of polio vaccines - 01/07/2021 09:52
- Hundreds of civilians killed in South Sudan ethnic massacre: U.N. - 21/04/2014 18:59
- UN Official: Peacekeepers in South Sudan Not Intervention Force - 14/12/2017 10:30
- Still in danger: Women and girls face sexual violence in South Sudan despite peace deal - 17/10/2019 09:05
- UNICEF sees increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates in South Sudan - 02/08/2022 01:27
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 58609 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22220 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21368 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18900 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18041 times