News Summary
- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that over 7.2 million people in conflict-ridden South Sudan urgently require food assistance.
- WFP Country Director for South Sudan, Mutinta Chimuuka, described the situation as critical, emphasizing the immediate need to save lives.
- Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan faces extreme poverty, corruption, internal conflict, and a severe risk of hunger.
June 5, Kathmandu – On Friday, the United Nations issued an urgent warning that more than 7 million people in South Sudan are in urgent need of food aid amid ongoing conflict in the country.
The UN’s World Food Programme has condemned the ‘dangerous situation’ in the world’s youngest sovereign nation and stated that its efforts to respond are facing a critical race against time.
Mutinta Chimuuka, WFP Country Director for South Sudan, spoke via video link from Bor town in Jonglei State to journalists gathered in Geneva: “We are currently discussing the urgent food assistance needed for 7.2 million people.”
“The situation is severe, and there is an immediate need to focus on saving the lives of those who require urgent aid,” the agency said in a statement.
Last month, Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, warned that the East African country is on the brink of famine and collapse.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but soon plunged into civil war and remains mired in extreme poverty, corruption, and insecurity.
The 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and longtime rival Riek Machar has effectively collapsed since last year.
The WFP has increased emergency response efforts, particularly in Akobo, a conflict-affected region in Jonglei State.
-Agency
