The World Food Program (WFP) says $444 million is needed over the next six months to support millions of people in South Sudan with immediate humanitarian needs.
In its latest report, released on Thursday evening, the WFP said the country is facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis due to chronic food and nutrition insecurity. The report said the situation has been worsened by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, with 892,000 people forced to flee South Sudan as of November 30, 2024.
“The situation could get worse,” the WFP warned. “As many as 7.7 million people could face severe food insecurity by 2025.” According to the report, 2.5 million of the approximately 7.7 million people could face emergency levels of food insecurity. The WFP also noted that 2.1 million children and 1.1 million pregnant women are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition.
In December 2024, WFP called on donors to provide initial funding to pre-establish food supplies. Since January 2024, WFP has assisted 4.2 million people. On December 11, 2024, WFP launched the South Sudan Resilience Strategy to support food insecure, conflict-affected and marginalized communities.
Food shortages in Africa vary across countries and regions, influenced by factors like conflict, climate change, economic instability, and poor infrastructure. Some countries frequently facing food shortages include:
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Somalia:
- Cause: Prolonged conflict, severe droughts, and locust infestations.
- Impact: High levels of food insecurity and reliance on humanitarian aid.
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South Sudan:
- Cause: Ongoing civil conflict, floods, and economic instability.
- Impact: Millions of people face extreme hunger annually.
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Ethiopia:
- Cause: Droughts, conflict (particularly in Tigray), and locust invasions.
- Impact: Persistent food shortages, especially in rural areas.
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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
- Cause: Armed conflict, displacement, and economic challenges.
- Impact: High rates of malnutrition and limited access to food.
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Niger:
- Cause: Climate shocks, poor harvests, and regional instability.
- Impact: Chronic food insecurity, particularly in rural communities.
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Sudan:
- Cause: Political instability, floods, and economic issues.
- Impact: Increasing numbers of people requiring food assistance.
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Chad:
- Cause: Harsh climatic conditions and regional insecurity.
- Impact: Recurrent food crises and malnutrition.
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Madagascar:
- Cause: Severe droughts and environmental degradation.
- Impact: Famine-like conditions in the southern regions.
These challenges are compounded by global economic trends, including rising food prices and disruptions in supply chains. African nations and international organizations continue to work on solutions to address food insecurity through humanitarian aid, agricultural development, and conflict resolution.