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Food supply

Severe Funding Shortfall Threatens Ongoing Support in South Sudan, Placing Millions at Risk of Losing Aid

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached over two million people with life-saving assistance in South Sudan so far this year, but a severe funding shortfall threatens to disrupt ongoing support, putting millions at risk of losing aid. The country's food security situation remains dire, with half of its population facing severe hunger, including 83,000 people classified as critically hungry. The WFP has achieved progress in some areas, such as Uror county, where all pockets of catastrophic hunger were alleviated this year, but sustained peace and humanitarian support are crucial to cement these gains.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 2 million people have received life-saving assistance from the WFP in South Sudan so far this year.
  • Half of the country's population (7.7 million people) are facing severe hunger, with 83,000 people in catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5).
  • The WFP has achieved progress in areas where conditions allow for humanitarian access, such as in Uror county, where all pockets of catastrophic hunger were alleviated this year.
  • WFP has delivered 430 metric tons of food and conducted airdrops to reach 40,000 people in the Greater Upper Nile region.
  • The WFP requires $274 million to maintain support for 2.5 million of the most acutely food insecure people through the end of the year.

Statistics:

  • 7.7 million people in South Sudan are facing severe hunger (50% of the population).
  • 83,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5).
  • 2.3 million children are at-risk of malnutrition.
  • 1.2 million people have fled to South Sudan since April 2023 due to conflict in neighboring Sudan.
  • The WFP has delivered 430 metric tons of food.
  • 109 metric tons of cholera-related supplies have been airlifted to locations in Upper Nile and Unity states.

Sources:

  • World Food Programme
  • United Nations World Food Programme
  • South Sudan emergency page
  • Broadcast quality footage available
  • High resolution photos available

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