A famine – the world’s first since 2011 – was formally announced on Monday (February 20th) in parts of Unity State, South Sudan. Approximately 100,000 people are facing starvation. A further 1 million are classified as being on the brink of famine.
Speaking from Juba, Christian Aid’s South Sudan country manager Rosie Crowther said: ‘After more than three years of conflict and insecurity, we have seen communities stretched to breaking point. The economy has collapsed, malnutrition has soared and hunger has taken a firm hold. Some 3.4 million women, men and children are displaced from their homes.
‘I have witnessed first-hand the incredible resilience of South Sudanese people in the face of so many crises. However, many people have now exhausted their coping mechanisms. As a result, tens of thousands could die of starvation, and millions do not know where their next meal is coming from.
‘Tragically, this crisis was utterly preventable. This declaration of famine in Unity State is a harsh wake-up call. The international community must do more to address the plight of the South Sudanese people. The situation will continue to deteriorate rapidly if we don’t act now. We can, and must, do more.’
This crisis is the result of over three years of conflict in the world’s newest nation. Although steps towards peace are finally being taken, violence and instability continue amidst severe humanitarian needs.
A total of 1.9 million individuals are internally displaced in South Sudan, while some 1.5 million are refugees in neighbouring countries, UN figures show. The World Food Programme is distributing food aid, while humanitarian organisations have appealed for US$1.6bn to assist 5.8 million South Sudanese people in 2017.
To find out more about Christian Aid’s crisis appeal for South Sudan, see here.
