WFP Issues Urgent Appeal for Funding to Combat Hunger in South Sudan

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for $404 million to address the escalating hunger crisis in South Sudan, where millions are on the brink of starvation, Arab News reported yesterday.

WFP’s food stores are empty, and without early funding, the organization may need to resort to costly airdrops to reach isolated communities later this year.

Shaun Hughes, WFP’s acting country director, emphasized the delays in transforming pledged funds into food, due to South Sudan’s limited and often impassable road networks. Early funding would allow for road transportation of supplies during the dry season, from December to April.

Currently, 56% of South Sudan’s population faces crisis levels of hunger, worsened by inflation, flooding, and ongoing conflict. In 2024, WFP had to double its airdrop deliveries, adding $30 million to operational costs, while only 2.7 million of the 7.1 million hungry individuals received assistance during the lean season, often in half rations.