South Sudan: Acute Food Security Snapshot August 2019 – April 2020

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Overview

In August 2019, an estimated 6.35 million people (54% of the population) are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, among whom an estimated 1.7 million people are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity and 10,000 people are in Catastrophe (IPC phase 5). Compared to the same period in 2018, there is a slight reduction in the proportion of people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity by an estimated 5%. However, high levels of acute food insecurity still persist in the country.

In both periods, these estimates are in the presence of humanitarian food assistance. In the projection period of September to December 2019, the food security situation is expected to improve as seasonal harvests become available. During this period, an estimated 4.54 million people (39% of the population) will likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food. In the post-harvest period of January to April 2020, the food security situation will deteriorate as household food stocks start depleting and an estimated 5.5 million people (47% of the total population) are likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity. The projection analyses have both factored in the presence of likely humanitarian food assistance.

Overview of the Nutrition Situation

All the 79 counties of South Sudan were included in the analysis, out of which 58 counties are classified as IPC AMN Phase 3 and above. Out of these, one county is in IPC AMN Phase 5, 14 are in IPC AMN Phase 4 and 14 counties are in IPC AMN Phase 3 .

Renk county of Upper Nile recorded the highest level of acute malnutrition with GAM at 32.1% hence in IPC AMN Phase 5. Most counties in the former States of Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei and Warrap and parts of Eastern Equatoria and Lakes are in IPC AMN Phase 4. However, improvement is expected in the projected harvest and post-harvest period of September to December 2019, although improvements might change marginally within the same phases with about 56 counties in IPC AMN Phase 3 and above (i.e. 24 in IPC AMN Phase 3 and 2 in IPC AMN Phase 4). No county is projected to be in IPC AMN Phase 5 during this period.