Nearly a quarter of the population of South Sudan, some 2.8 million people, urgently needs food assistance “and at least 40,000 people are on the brink of catastrophe,” say three UN agencies.
The high level of food insecurity was particularly worrisome because hunger has increased during the post-harvest period when supplies are their largest. “The number of food-insecure people is expected to peak during the coming lean season — traditionally worst between April and July — when food availability is lowest,” said the World Food Program, the UN Children’s Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Armed conflict has disrupted food supplies and driven up prices. “Livestock raiding has robbed many people of essential animal products like milk, which were their main means of survival during last year’s lean season,” said the FAO. The three agencies said they are undertaking a massive program to provide food and health services to up to 2.8 million people. FAO said it would distribute crop kits, vegetable kits, fishing kits and vaccinations for more than 5 million head of cattle to help citizens produce food for themselves.