Newsroom

SOUTH SUDAN FACES DEEPENING HUNGER CRISIS IPC REPORT WARNS

Juba, South Sudan – A new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report has revealed a worsening food security situation in South Sudan, with millions of people facing severe hunger and malnutrition driven by conflict, displacement, and recurrent climate shocks.

According to the latest IPC findings, an estimated 7.7 million people about 60 percent of the country’s population—are facing acute food insecurity. The assessment shows that conditions have deteriorated sharply in parts of Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Unity States, where families continue to grapple with the effects of violence, flooding, and loss of livelihoods.

Releasing the findings, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany said the numbers show the need for urgent action to rebuild livelihoods and restore stability.

“This report tells a painful truth,” he said. “We cannot feed our people through aid alone. Fields are idle, markets are weak, and farmers are still afraid to return home. Food security starts with peace and the will to produce. The government is working on a preparedness plan to help communities grow more food, improve storage, and build resilience before the next lean season.” Said Hussein Abdelbagi.

The report highlights that eleven out of thirteen counties in Upper Nile State are currently classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) one step below famine levels. In areas such as Nasir and Ulang Counties, the situation is considered at risk of sliding into Famine (IPC Phase 5) if immediate humanitarian assistance is not provided.

UN Resident Coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho said the data reflects the daily struggles of South Sudanese families trapped by conflict, floods, and poverty. “This is not just about food—it is about survival,” she said. “In places where peace has held, we’ve seen people recover and rebuild. But where insecurity and displacement persist, hunger deepens. Every delay in access costs lives.” Anita Kiki Gbeho said.

Humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of protracted conflict, massive displacement, and climatic shocks has eroded community resilience and pushed millions to the brink. Children are among the most affected, with rising levels of acute malnutrition reported across several counties.

FAO’s Country Director Meshack Malo emphasized revitalizing agri-food systems, while WFP’s Adham Effendi urged sustained humanitarian access. UNICEF’s Ismail Kamil appealed for continued support to health and nutrition services for children and mothers.

The IPC classification serves as a globally recognized tool for assessing food security and nutrition levels. The findings help guide humanitarian planning and ensure that aid is directed to the areas most in need.

The report calls for immediate and coordinated action by the government, humanitarian partners, and donors to avert a full-scale catastrophe, particularly as the country approaches the lean season, when food access becomes increasingly limited.

South Sudan has faced persistent food insecurity since the outbreak of conflict more than a decade ago. Despite peace efforts and humanitarian assistance, the country remains one of the world’s most food-insecure nations, with millions dependent on aid to survive.