International

4.8m people face severe famine in South Sudan, UN says

Published

8 years ago

June 30, 2016

4.8m people face severe famine in South Sudan, UN says

The United Nations agencies has informed that about 4.8 million people in South Sudan face food shortages in months to come as conflict in the country which erupted about two months ago threatens to reach its highest level.

Heavy rains at this time of the year in the central African country has also hampered supply of aid to the hinterland of Southern Sudan as most roads have become impassable especially with the fact that most roads are just mere dirt tracks.

“The deteriorating situation coincides with an unusually long and harsh annual lean season, when families have depleted their food stocks and new harvests are not expected until August. The level of food insecurity this year is unprecedented,” the U.N. agencies said in a joint statement.

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The U.N. World Food Programme, one of three agencies behind the statement, said it expected to assist 3.3 million people this year with emergency food assistance, life-saving nutrition support and other aid.

“We are very worried to see that food insecurity is spreading beyond conflict areas as rising prices, impassable roads and dysfunctional markets are preventing many families, even those in towns and cities, from accessing food,” said Serge Tissot, representing the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation.

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