S. SUDAN: 2.7m people on the brink of starvation

  1. Posted on Tuesday 26 April 2011 - 15:10
    Evans Wafula
    Image of Evans Wafula
    Evans Wafula, AfricaNews contributor in Nairobi, Kenya
    It is a rush for food in Southern Sudan as 2.7 million people face food shortage and a looming disease epidemic. The government and humanitarian agencies are crippling with the effects of server hunger and crop failure as the number of returnees from the north continue to flock the dusty farm fields in the South.
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    The situation in South Sudan’s Central Equatorial paints a stark picture of malnourished children and failed crop. This has prompted the global child rights organization Plan International to launch a food distribution exercise in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State to avert a looming human catersophy. The three months exercise, will ensure essential food stuff is distributed. According to plan, potions of cereal and beans food rations will be distributed to returnees, mostly children and women, in the acute food deficit Rokon Payam district.

    “Juba County in Central Equatoria is considered to have severe cases of acute food shortages. The areas that require immediate intervention include Rokon Payam and Dolo Payams. We are focusing on Rokon Payam. We are currently providing food but we will soon start distributing seeds and farming tools as well as providing water, sanitation and hygiene services; education and protection of children,” Plan International’s Director in South Sudan, Fikru Abebe, said.

    Thousands of returnees are faced with unprecedented challenges from lack of basic amenities to shortage of food stuff and the situation is expected to worsen as experts’ project many returnees are expected to enter South Sudan in the coming months.

    The UNHCR estimated that between 850 000 to 1 500 000 have returned to the South leading to an estimated 2.7 million people depend on food aid.

    According to Plan International, Central Equatoria which is home to the South Sudan capital Juba is feeling the pinch as the social services are failing to cope with the influx. More schools, health services and food are needed for the returnees.

    Although the government has allocated land to some of the returnees, crop failure has been reported in some areas due to continued instability and pockets of conflict which deter farmers from planting.

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