A new Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission released by two UN food agencies in South Sudan says that despite the seven percent increase in local food production last year, millions of citizens are still food insecure.
The report released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) seen by The EastAfrican on Friday attributed the food insecurity to the impact of prolonged conflict and floods.
"Cereal production in 2020 is estimated at 874,400 metric tons, seven percent higher than 818,500 metric tons in 2019. The marginal growth will cover the needs of only a third of the population, leaving most people reliant on humanitarian food assistance and imports of essential grains, at prices beyond the reach of ordinary South Sudanese.
"The alarmingly high deficit in 2021 cereal production, estimated at 465,600 tons, keeps food insecurity at an all-time high. South Sudan needs 1.3 million metric tons of cereal a year to feed its 12.2 million people," reads the joint report.
The report states that of the country's 10 states, only Western Equatoria produced enough cereal for FAO and WFP to purchase locally to feed people in the other nine states.
"Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile have the highest cereal deficit levels in the country and therefore account for nearly 50 percent of all food insecure people. The combined impacts of recurring conflict and huge floods in the three states severely hampered agriculture".
Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Representative and Country Director in South Sudan, says the marginal gains in cereal production show that where there is peace and stability, the people of South Sudan are able to turn the page on hunger.
"But in a country still battered by years of war and the ravages of climate change, modest improvements are far from enough to end food insecurity, which is the highest ever. Disrupted livelihoods, heavy losses in livestock and other assets and high food prices are pushing the average family deeper into poverty and hunger," Matthew said.
Newer articles:
- Greater Horn of Africa climate outlook 7 June - 07/06/2021 01:58
- Kenya offers to support Sudan’s transition to democracy - 07/06/2021 00:35
- EAA, WPDI extend partnership for new project in Uganda, South Sudan - 06/06/2021 12:41
- Juba talks: Sudan Govt, SPLM-N ‘nearing draft agreement’ - 06/06/2021 02:44
- Kenyan troops back from South Sudan mission - 05/06/2021 15:14
Older news items
- Opinion: Investing in Data Saves Lives - 05/06/2021 00:55
- Humanitarian Situation Monitoring, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, October - December 2020 - 04/06/2021 20:21
- Uproar greets South Sudan's Covid vaccine giveaway - 04/06/2021 06:35
- Evolution of Lactase Persistence in Sudan and South Sudan - 04/06/2021 04:42
- Violence on aid workers in South Sudan is a ‘damaging development’ - 04/06/2021 04:14
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan needs ‘civic education’ before elections, says bishop - 16/01/2025 16:42
- South Sudan parties set to resume peace talks in Kenya - 16/01/2025 16:39
- Abandoned but not forgotten – the invisible crisis in South Sudan - 16/01/2025 16:35
- The SAF has committed barbaric atrocities against South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani - 16/01/2025 16:27
- Syria 2025: The historical Syrian project: From revolution to a modern inclusive civil state - 16/01/2025 16:10
Random articles (all categories):
- باقان يدعو إلي تعديل اقتسام السلطة لتسوية دار فور - 19/02/2008 09:48
- Kaya-Oraba border reopens after six years - 29/08/2023 06:54
- AU commission dismisses leaked draft on S. Sudan crimes - 17/03/2015 07:58
- Sudan: UNITMAS Head Receives 'Death Threats' - 15/03/2023 00:46
- South Sudan's opposition PDM to resume participation in peace talks - 18/08/2018 18:00
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 61547 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22304 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21490 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19052 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18779 times