South Sudanese people demand more food aid to address unprecedented levels of hunger

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in camps across South Sudan are demanding more food aid to address unprecedented levels of hunger after the UN World Food Program (WFP) suspended assistance due to critical funding shortages.

According to the latest report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, around 7.74 million people in South Sudan, or about 60% of the population, will face severe acute hunger at the height of the lean season between June and August.

The WFP was about to provide food aid to half of these people, but with the funding shortages, aid was suspended to nearly one-third of them, heightening the risk of starvation for 1.7 million people.

Dau Akoi Jurkuch, chairman of the Mangala IDP Camp, which hosts 40,000 internally displaced persons, said the suspension came as a shock to residents because those who are in the camp are food insecure.

Nyapur Koang, a mother of four living in the UN camp, said due to the suspension of food aid by the WFP, it will not be easy for them to get food since they depend on the aid.

The WFP said it exhausted all options before suspending food assistance, including halving rations in 2021, leaving families with less to eat.

It warned that the latest reductions will also affect 178,000 school children, who will no longer receive daily school meals — a crucial safety net that helps keep South Sudanese children in school to learn and grow.