The warning occurs in the midst of greater violence and worsening of the food security condition that has 11 of the 13 counties in the state that faces emergency hunger levels and 32,000 of these inhabitants that face catastrophic level hunger conditions, almost three previous estimates.
“We are seeing the devastating impact that the conflict has on food security in South Sudan.“Said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, country director of the World Food Program (PMA) in South Sudan.
“The conflict not only destroys houses and livelihoods, but Draw communities, reduce access to markets and send spiral food prices up“Mrs. McGroarty said.
Hunger
In total, 7.7 million people in South Sudan will face acute food insecurity, which represents more than half of the entire population. In addition, 2.3 million children in South Sudan face malnutrition, an increase of 2.1 million at the beginning of the year.
FAO expects these numbers to increase as the country prepares to enter the thin and wet station, which will further decrease food supplies and potentially worsen displacement.
The agency observed that the counties in which violence has greatly absent have seen improvements in food insecurity as a result of greater production of crops and humanitarian efforts. However, hunger continues.
Despite such continuous challenges, Meshack Malo, the representative of the FAO country in South Sudan, said that these results are evidence of the “dividends of peace.”
Descent to conflict
South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, won independence in 2011 and immediately fell into a brutal and devastating civil war that finally ended in 2018 thanks to a peace agreement among political rivals that has remained largely.
However, recent political tensions and the increase in violent attacks, especially in the state of Alto Nilo, threaten to unravel the peace agreement and submerge the nation in conflict.
“South Sudan cannot afford to sink into conflict at this time. Vulnerable communities in severe food insecurity will be immersed.that leads to a generalized hunger, ”said Meshack, a country representative of Fao in South Sudan.
Humanitarian difficulties
FAO said humanitarian access should be improved to address the hunger worsening situation.
FAO's report also emphasized that the development of peace and capacity is the only sustainable solution for food insecurity in South Sudan.
“Long -term peace is essential, but at this time, it is essential that our teams can safely access and distribute families trapped in conflicts in Alto Nilo, to bring them back from the edge and prevent famine,” Ms. McGroarty said.
