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Food crisis in South Sudan: the fear of the raining season

Published on Wednesday 26 April 2017

Inflation, hundreds of thousands of children suffering from malnutrition, humanitarian access to the area becoming more and more difficult… The crisis that has affected South Sudan since 2013 and has become a food crisis threatens to escalate with the rainy season.

For several months, South Sudan has been facing a serious food crisis. 1.17 million people are in a critical food emergency situation and 4 million more people need humanitarian assistance. These figures may reach new heights with the rainy season. “When it is raining we cannot travel. Food supplies become really complicated, explains Camille Niel, Emergency response Coordinator in South Sudan for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL. Soon our teams will not be able to reach the most isolated villages where the needs are among the worst. Today, 260,000 children are suffering from malnutrition. What about tomorrow if we cannot provide them with the aid they need?”

Soudan du Sud enfnats malnutrition

War is the primary cause of food insecurity

Camille’s fears are justified. With the rapid response team she observes the lacks and the needs of the population. “During each mission, we face the same issues: lack of water and access to health and sanitation facilities. Whereas when a food crisis strikes access to those basic services are crucial. It is impossible to fight malnutrition without access to drinking water. So we rehabilitate wells, boreholes and we distribute jerry cans to stock the water… But we need more funds to help hundreds of thousands of brave families, who have been living through the war. Because war is the primary cause of the food crisis.”

Food crisis in South Sudan: data

6.1 million people need humanitarian aid
1.9 million displaced people
5 million people need food assistance, among which 1.17 million are in a critical emergency situation.
5.1 million people lack access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.
50% of water points have been damaged or destroyed.
A cholera outbreak in June 2016 affected more than 5,000 people and killed more than 100 people.

Photo: © Thomas Gruel/ SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL

 

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