On November 19, the United Nations agencies sounded the alarm over the severe hunger crisis gripping South Sudan. With the added strain of returnees fleeing the conflict from neighboring Sudan, the situation is likely to intensify, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children. According to the latest report from the World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and UNICEF, more than half of the South Sudanese population—specifically, 57 percent—will face acute food insecurity through the next lean season, which begins April 2025. This dire scenario highlights significant economic pressures, climate-related challenges, and the protracted effects of conflict on food security.
Returning citizens from Sudan, many seeking refuge and stability after the turmoil back home, are projected to face some of the highest levels of food scarcity, with over 85 percent of these returnees expected to deal with acute food insecurity. This influx exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, posing serious concerns for various sectors, especially for the approximately 2.1 million children now identified as at risk for malnutrition, compared to 1.65 million last year.
Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the WFP country director for South Sudan, underlined the urgency of addressing the root causes of hunger. She explained, “To reach zero hunger in South Sudan, it’s imperative we tackle the underlying issues—communities need peace, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their livelihoods.”
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report has highlighted how the recurring crises, which include severe flooding, prolonged dry spells, and endemic conflict, have disrupted earlier progress made toward food security. McGroarty mentioned the complex interplay of despair, conflict, and the climate crisis as key factors fueling extreme levels of hunger.
Alongside the independent crises affecting food availability, many are compounded by climatic events. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported earlier this month substantial flooding has impacted 1.4 million people across various counties. This natural disaster has not only affected agriculture but has also led to poorer sanitation conditions, forcing more children and families to visit nutrition centers repeatedly for assistance.
UNICEF representative Hamida Lasseko stressed the chronic nature of malnutrition plaguing the nation. “Children are returning to nutrition centres multiple times throughout the year due to poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Illnesses significantly contribute to the rate of malnutrition we are witnessing,” she highlighted. Lasseko's comments reflect concerns for children and mothers as malnutrition becomes more prevalent, especially during this tumultuous period.
The joint statement by these organizations calls for urgent action to boost investment, enabling South Sudanese communities to produce their own food. A pressing recommendation noted by FAO country representative Meshack Malo is the need for resources to be allocated to improve agricultural productivity. “Not only will this lessen each household's food budget pressures, but it will also create job opportunities within the agricultural sector, enhancing household incomes and allowing for healthier diets,” said Malo.
Despite facing this bleak picture, the commitment to combating hunger is evident. Both international agencies and local partners are advocating for rapid assistance and systematic strategies to tackle the challenges undermining food security. Failure to implement these efforts might mean seeing hunger levels escalate to unprecedented heights, potentially affecting millions for the foreseeable future.
According to reports, the long recovery from recent crises may lead to increased cases of food insecurity and malnutrition, especially as communities grapple with climate extremes, conflicts, and economic downturns. The warnings from the WFP, FAO, and UNICEF portray South Sudan as being at risk of slipping back toward devastating hunger levels witnessed during previous crises.
