IRC calls for urgent implementation of R-ARCSS as the clock is ticking away 

“As South Sudan nears the November deadline for the formation of a unity government, the IRC calls on all actors to drive the peace process forward and address the terrible food insecurity affecting 6.35 million South Sudanese people, including over 1 million acutely malnourished children,” said IRC.

Martin Omukaba, South Sudan Country Director at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), pointed out that the ongoing food insecurity facing the country’s population is attributable to the conflict in South Sudan and that it could be addressed if inter-communal violence stops.

“The horrific food insecurity situation in South Sudan is a direct consequence of the ongoing civil war. While the conflict has improved, pockets of fighting are ongoing and areas of South Sudan are still facing famine conditions. All parties in South Sudan must come together and adhere to the November deadline to form a unity government,” said Martin Omukaba.

The humanitarian organization, IRC, urges South Sudan’s Parties to choose peace over war in order to tackle the ongoing food insecurity facing the entire population across the country.

“The number one priority of the unity government must be to address the severe food insecurity facing the South Sudanese people. November is already too late for many. Thanks to reduced conflict, South Sudan has seen less people facing severe food insecurity, but the numbers are still extremely worrying,” the statement issued by the IRC further said.

Adding that, “It is imperative that a stable unity government take over in November to increase trade flows, ease movements of households and allow the South Sudanese people to access markets, generate an income and feed their families. The country cannot afford to push back the formation of this government any further .”

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) called on the international community and IGAD countries to do more to support the implementation of the peace agreement, saying there are concerns that food insecurity could worsen if there is no solution to this crisis.

“Without political stability, food insecurity will continue to worsen in the Eastern African country that already has more people lacking critical access to food and suffering from malnutrition than any of its neighbors. The IRC calls on all actors, including the international community, to support the peace process in order to aid South Sudanese people as they rebuild their lives.”

Currently, the IRC has more than 400 staff in South Sudan responding to the increasingly dire food insecurity crisis through its support for health, nutrition, reproduction health and women’s protection and empowerment, child protection, as well as livelihoods.