The United Nations has called for more efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said severe, multiyear flood events, surging subnational violence, and economic pressures are pushing more people into worsening levels of acute food insecurity – a key driver of childhood malnutrition, disease, and poverty.
The three UN agencies said that despite being dependent on food imports, South Sudan has enormous potential to produce food and become a ‘breadbasket’ of East Africa. But with continuing sub-national conflict that is forcing people to flee their homes and disrupting livelihoods, the country finds itself in a recurring food crisis.
“Ending hunger in South Sudan starts with ending sub-national conflict and tackling the climate crisis,” said Adeyinka Badejo, WFP Acting Country Director in South Sudan. “On this World Food Day, I call on all stakeholders to create conditions for peace and stability that will enable the country and its population to prosper, to increase food production, to curb the level of hunger that is spiralling out of control, and to build resilience to climatic shocks.”
Food insecurity in the country is alarming as hunger hit unprecedented levels this year, with almost 65% of the population – 7.74 million people – severely food insecure, with 2.9 million of those on the cusp of starvation and another 87,000 people in famine-like conditions.
WFP says it is reaching over five million people with food assistance while supporting close to fifty thousand to produce their crops by providing training in ‘climate smart’ agricultural techniques and modern agronomic practices.
“We need to make agriculture and agri-business an attractive option to ambitious young South Sudanese citizens,” Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan said.
“FAO is supporting the formation of farming cooperatives and facilitating access to markets. Growth in the agricultural sector provides sustainable livelihoods, positively contributes to the national economy and helps reduce overdependence on imported foods,” Malo added.
