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Food supply

Millions at Risk of Losing Access to Humanitarian Food Assistance in South Sudan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A severe funding slowdown threatens ongoing humanitarian support in South Sudan, putting millions of people at risk of losing access to life-saving food assistance. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached over two million people with assistance so far this year, but a funding shortfall threatens to halt aid to millions more. The situation is critical, with half the population of South Sudan facing severe hunger, and a record 2.3 million children at-risk of malnutrition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Half the population of South Sudan (7.7 million people) are facing severe hunger, with 83,000 people facing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5).
  • A record 2.3 million children are at-risk of malnutrition, with conflict areas in Upper Nile and flood-affected areas such as Bentiu among the most impacted.
  • WFP has supported two million of the most vulnerable people in South Sudan this year, including over 300,000 impacted by the escalation of conflict in Upper Nile.
  • WFP requires US$274 million to maintain support for 2.5 million people with emergency food assistance through the end of the year, providing only 50% rations in most cases.
  • Severe funding shortfalls mean WFP can reach only 30% of people facing severe hunger with regular assistance.
  • Limiting food aid to the most vulnerable families risks undoing recent fragile gains.
  • The WFP-led Logistics Cluster has airlifted 109 metric tons of cholera-related supplies to locations in Upper Nile and Unity states.
  • WFP has delivered 430 metric tons of food and conducted airdrops to reach 40,000 people in the Greater Upper Nile region.
  • River convoys on the White Nile River have resumed after access was granted for the first time in months due to fighting.

Statistics:

  • 18.3 million people are facing hunger in South Sudan, with 30% of the population (7.7 million people) facing severe hunger (Source: WFP).
  • 83,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5) (Source: WFP).
  • 2.3 million children are at-risk of malnutrition (Source: WFP).
  • 109 metric tons of cholera-related supplies have been airlifted to locations in Upper Nile and Unity states (Source: WFP-led Logistics Cluster).
  • 430 metric tons of food have been delivered by WFP (Source: WFP).
  • 40,000 people have been reached by WFP's airdrops in the Greater Upper Nile region (Source: WFP).
  • US$274 million is required to maintain support for 2.5 million people with emergency food assistance through the end of the year (Source: WFP).

Sources:

  • The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
  • WFP Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Carl Skau
  • South Sudan emergency page (here)
  • Broadcast quality footage available (here)
  • High resolution photos available (here)

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