South Sudan to face severe food insecurity next year, UN says
Almost 60 percent of South Sudan’s population will be acutely food insecure next year, with more than two million children at risk of malnutrition, warns data from a United Nations-backed review.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) review published on Monday estimated that starting in April, 57 percent of the population would be suffering from acute food insecurity, which the UN defines as when a “person’s inability to consume adequate food puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger”.
Almost 7.7 million people will be classed as acutely food insecure, according to the IPC, an increase from 7.1 million people the previous lean season.
“Year after year, we see hunger reaching some of the highest levels we’ve seen in South Sudan,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the country director for the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP).
“When we look at the areas with the highest levels of food insecurity, it’s clear that a cocktail of despair – conflict and the climate crisis – are the main drivers,” she said.
