U.N urges efforts to tackle food insecurity in South Sudan
October 18, 2022 (JUBA) – The United Nations has urged concerted efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan.
According to the world body, severe, multiyear flood events, surging subnational violence, and economic pressures are pushing more people into worsening levels of acute food insecurity, a key driver of childhood malnutrition, disease, and poverty.
Despite being dependent on food imports, South Sudan has enormous potential to produce food and become a ‘breadbasket’ of East Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said.
“Ending hunger in South Sudan starts with ending sub-national conflict and tackling the climate crisis,” said Adeyinka Badejo WFP Acting South Sudan Country Director.
“On this World Food Day, I call on all stakeholders to create conditions for peace and stability that will enable the country and its population to prosper, to increase food production, to curb the level of hunger that is spiralling out of control, and to build resilience to climatic shocks,” he added.
Aid agencies say food insecurity in the country is alarming as hunger hit unprecedented levels this year with nearly 65% of the population severely food insecure, 2.9 million at the brink of starvation and 87,000 in famine-like conditions.
WFP, in a statement issued Tuesday, said it is reaching over five million people with food assistance while supporting close to 50,000 to produce their crops by providing training in ‘climate smart’ agricultural techniques and modern agronomic practices.
FAO said it is also working with the government to strengthen every level of the food system, including production, post-harvest management, storage and marketing.
“We need to make agriculture and agri-business an attractive option to ambitious young South Sudanese citizens,” said Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan.
“FAO is supporting the formation of farming cooperatives and facilitating access to markets. Growth in the agricultural sector provides sustainable livelihoods, positively contributes to the national economy and helps reduce overdependence on imported foods,” he added.
Hamida Lasseko, the UNICEF Representative in South Sudan also stressed the need to double down efforts to address food insecurity in the world’s youngest nation.
“Children pay the highest price and this is manifested in the alarming and increasing rates of severe wasting in children seen across the country,” explained Lasseko.
(ST)