South Sudan: Protecting livelihoods and preventing famine - Urgent call for assistance

Country: South Sudan Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Please refer to the attached file. Context South Sudan is facing one of the most severe food insecurity crises globally. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, 55 percent of the population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 73 000 people in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).1 Additionally, four counties – Akobo and Nyirol in Jonglei State and Luakpiny/Nasir and Ulang in Upper Nile State – face a risk of Famine under a probable worst-case scenario, which has a realistic likelihood of occurring. The crisis is driven by a combination of recurrent shocks and structural vulnerabilities. Four consecutive years of severe flooding have destroyed crops, livestock and critical infrastructure, significantly undermining agricultural production and livelihoods. Concurrently, protracted conflict and insecurity continue to restrict humanitarian access, displace communities and disrupt local economies. Since the start of the conflict in the Sudan in April 2023, South Sudan has experienced a massive influx of over 700 000 returnees and refugees.2 More than 70 percent have settled in already vulnerable areas where FAO is providing support, placing additional strain on limited resources and services. This is compounded by a deteriorating economic situation characterized by currency depreciation, rising food prices and disrupted markets, further eroding households’ purchasing power. These shocks are occurring in a context of widespread structural poverty and limited livelihood diversification, leaving households with minimal coping capacity and highly vulnerable to further deterioration. The Food and Agriculture Organization of...

Original source: Relief Web