South Sudan forecasted among Global Hunger Hotspots in 2020
WFP’s beneficiaries unload food items from vehicles at an unidentified distribution point (Photo: Supplied)
January 2nd, 2020 (SSNN)—A new analysis released by the World Food Program has ranked South Sudan as one of the sub-Saharan countries most likely to be affected by extreme hunger in 2020.
“Escalating hunger needs in sub-Saharan Africa dominate a World Food Programme (WFP) analysis of global hunger hotspots in the first half of 2020 with millions of people requiring life-saving food assistance in Zimbabwe, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central Sahel region in the coming months.”
“WFP is fighting big and complex humanitarian battles on several fronts at the start of 2020,” said David Beasley, Executive Director of WFP.
The World Food Program observed that continued instability coupled with unprecedented floods in the regions are likely to cause mass displacement and destitution.
“In some countries, we are seeing conflict and instability combine with climate extremes to force people from their homes, farms and places of work. In others, climate shocks are occurring alongside economic collapse and leaving millions on the brink of destitution and hunger.”
The United Nations agency appealed to donor countries to intensify funding in an effort to avert looming hunger in sub-Saharan countries.
“Ramping up the humanitarian response will again require the generous support of donor governments to fund the assistance required to save lives and support development,” the statement issued by WFP partly reads.
South Sudan faces increasing economic challenges compounded by unprecedented floods.
However, despite violence and insecurity having waned considerably as a result of the peace agreement, the country’s population still faces food insecurity in almost all parts of the country.
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