Juba, 3 October 2023 (TDI): In a dire warning today, the World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted an impending hunger emergency along the South Sudan-Sudan border.
Amidst continuous arrivals of families fleeing Sudan’s conflict, new WFP data paints a grim picture: 20% of the 300,000 refugees in South Sudan are malnourished children, and 90% of families endure days without food.
This alarming situation demands immediate global intervention and decisive action. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP’s Country Director in South Sudan, expressed deep concern.
“Families are escaping peril in Sudan only to encounter despair in South Sudan. The humanitarian crisis facing returnees is unacceptable. WFP is stretched thin, lacking the resources to provide vital assistance to those in dire need,” she said.
The ongoing rainy season has exacerbated the already challenging conditions at overcrowded transit centers and border crossings. Widespread flooding has heightened food insecurity and disease transmission.
Families, fleeing Sudan’s conflict with only the clothes they wear, report incidents of robbery and violence, making their journey to South Sudan perilous.
Today’s arrivals face heightened vulnerability compared to those who fled during the conflict’s early stages. To address the immediate needs of families at the border, WFP is offering vital food assistance.
This aid includes hot meals, high-energy biscuits, dry rations, and cash-based transfers, along with specialized nutrition support tailored for children and mothers, ensuring essential relief during this crisis.
Also Read: WFP fights Hunger Crisis in Sudan
WFP urgently seeks $120 million to aid Sudanese refugees in South Sudan. Further funds are vital for their relocation and rebuilding efforts in a country many have never lived in. Immediate assistance is crucial for their successful resettlement.
In South Sudan, WFP faces a critical funding shortfall of $536 million for the next six months. In 2023, only 40% of the food-insecure population received aid.
In this vein, the recipients only got half rations due to funding gaps, deepening the crisis of food insecurity. With the recent situation, immediate support is vital to address this alarming situation.
