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UN says food insecurity spreads in conflict-stricken S. Sudan

Xinhua, April 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Food insecurity has spread to conflict-stricken South Sudan's areas previously considered relatively stable as food prices are soaring due to markets collapse, a joint report by two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.

The new joint Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) says civil strife and unfavourable rains have further reduced crop production in South Sudan.

This, the report reveals, has contributed to a cereal deficit of 381,000 tonnes, 53 percent greater than in 2015, aggravating the already severe food shortages,

"Food insecurity has spread to areas previously considered relatively stable, highlighting the cumulative impact of conflict, economic downturn and climactic shocks," said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

Cereal prices have shot up nearly five-fold since early last year, making it increasingly difficult for people to get enough to eat, according to the report, which adds that the crisis in South Sudan is marked by alarming levels of hunger.

According to the report, some 5.8 million people, or nearly half of the country's population, are unsure where their next meal will come from, while the rate of severe food insecurity has now reached 12 percent, double the rate of one year ago.

The report says South Sudanese families are forced to cope with soaring cereal prices, which are driven by a combination of the sharp devaluation of the local currency and higher transport costs.

The report calls for immediate action to address hunger, strengthen domestic food production and reduce the food gap in 2016 and into next year.

Most urgent is the need for an immediate improvement of security across the country, it says.

The report says agencies like WFP, FAO and partner organizations need sustained access and resources to provide targeted food and livelihood assistance to the very vulnerable households in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity, especially in parts of Greater Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria.

Under the 2016 Humanitarian Appeal, FAO appealed for 45 million U.S. dollars to assist 2.8 million people with seeds, tools and other inputs to produce food and keep their livestock healthy, and strengthen the government's efforts to boost food security.

However, the current funding gap is 16.1 million to meet this goal. Enditem