|
South Sudan "catastrophic" food security situation of grave concern
28.07.2014 09:54 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
While speaking at a press conference on last week Friday, the current President of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Eugène-Richard Gasana of Rwanda told the food security situation in South Sudan is «catastrophic and the worst in the world», UN Radio reports.
As to Mr. Gasana, the crisis in South Sudan may soon reach the threshold of famine as a result of continued conflict, civilian targeting and displacement.
It is to be admitted, back in May, $618 million in new funding for both South Sudan and the region had been pledged at the Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Oslo.
Now all UN Member States are being urged to fulfil their pledges and increase their commitments.
The funds are critically needed now to provide life-saving aid, Ambassador Gasana underscored.
Meanwhile the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are warning that the children of South Sudan cannot wait for famine before the world acts.
The agencies say nearly 1 million children under five years of age in South Sudan are severely malnourished. As to the agencies, the conflict is focused in three states of South Sudan.
Besides, the agencies stress that about 4 million people face dangerous levels of food insecurity and many do not know where their next meal is coming from.
Also available:
|
| |
|
|