The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is worsening due to conflict, displacement, economic hardship, climate-related shocks and the effects of the conflict in neighboring Sudan. Speaking at the UN Geneva Office’s weekly press briefing after a visit last week, Hollingworth said conditions across the country had deteriorated significantly.
Some 7.8 million people, more than half of the country’s population, struggle to find food every day. Hollingworth said aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) and other actors in the country was rapidly declining and that humanitarian resources were beginning to run out.
Children and mothers need urgent support
In South Sudan, 2.2 million children and 2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women need urgent nutritional support. Hollingworth said more than 1 million people could lose access to food and nutrition assistance by October if additional resources are not provided.
The consequences of the conflict in neighboring Sudan are also deepening the crisis in South Sudan. Hollingworth said about 3,000 refugees and South Sudanese who had previously been refugees in Sudan enter the country every week.
Climate impacts widen funding gap
Extreme weather events affecting the region and El Niño, which is contributing to rising temperatures, are affecting South Sudan and neighboring countries. These conditions could increase pressure on food security in the region.
Hollingworth said the WFP, its partners and other United Nations agencies were facing a funding crisis. He said the WFP currently had a funding shortfall of $86 million and needed an additional $416 million for the next six months.
Hollingworth said that without the necessary resources, services could not be provided to refugees, displaced people and vulnerable host communities.