South Sudan – October 29, 2024 – While extreme levels of hunger in Gaza and Sudan make headlines, an estimated 7.1 million people across South Sudan, 56% of the population, were projected to face severe acute food insecurity between April and July 2024. This reality is driven by a deadly confluence of factors, including the economic crisis, climate change and conflict. Climate extremes in South Sudan take different forms, including severe and pervasive dry spells and torrential rains. The country is currently experiencing extreme flooding that is affecting an estimated one million people.
Among the hardest hit by worsening food insecurity are women and girls, who face increased risks of malnutrition, violence, and displacement, all driven by food scarcity. Along with the impacts of climate change, hunger in South Sudan is being driven by the climate crisis, economic hardship, conflict, and lack of appropriate infrastructure. At the same time, donor fatigue and lack of funding hamper the humanitarian response. This is threatening the survival of many families across the country
“The crisis in South Sudan is beyond dire,” said Abel Whande, CARE South Sudan’s Country Director. Speaking on the situation in Lekuangole, a conflict-affected County in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) where at least 11 hunger-related deaths have been reported by local authorities. He added: “The markets are nonfunctional and lack food. Women and girls are suffering the most as they now have to travel further, even across active conflict spots, to access food. The food crisis is likely to escalate, as the conflict is forcing people to flee their homes with crops yet to mature, and in most areas, water levels are rising. Some young people from Lekuangole are seeking refuge in neighboring Akobo County, desperate to escape the hunger situation.”
At 66 years old, Nyikcho, a mother of 13, has faced unimaginable hardship. Having lost three sons to conflict, she was left to care for her grandchildren with little hope of survival. “I had no food, no proper shelter for sleeping,” Nyikcho shared, reflecting on the devastation caused by the dry spell, floods, and conflict that afflicted her community.
Despite humanitarian efforts, food shortages and logistical challenges in South Sudan have left many families struggling for months. Lives are hanging in the balance—especially those of women and girls who are enduring unimaginable hardship. They are the first to suffer when food runs out and the last to be helped when resources are scarce. They also face increased risks of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, as they resort to desperate measures to feed their families.
“The humanitarian response in South Sudan must be ramped up immediately,” Abel Whande urged. “Communities are standing on the edge of catastrophe, as growing needs collide with shrinking donor support. CARE calls on the international community to act quickly to save lives by increasing resources to respond to the humanitarian crisis. We call for a multisectoral response to address the multiple needs of communities, ensuring that the needs of women and girls are prioritized. Further, CARE is calling on conflict actors across South Sudan to stop fighting and allow the delivery of timely assistance to all communities in need. The time to act is now. The world must come together to protect the most vulnerable and save lives.”
CARE and its partners continue to work to deliver life-saving assistance, including cash assistance, Gender Based Violence counseling sessions for survivors, and medical services in Lekuangole. In Rubkona, one of the counties hit hard by the flooding, affected communities are being supported with cash, tarpaulins for people whose homes were destroyed, treated mosquito nets, soap and hygiene implements, and reinforcement of dikes. However, without significant intervention across the country, the crisis in South Sudan will worsen.
Notes to Editors:
- CARE South Sudan’s focus is on gender-based violence including building a strong network of women’s rights organizations. We have managed 70 health facilities and eight mobile clinics in Jonglei, Unity, and Western Bahr El Ghazal, delivering the South Sudan Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services (BPHNS) even in remote areas. Our agricultural programs enhance food availability, agronomic practices, and environmental protection, positioning us to expand and support local actors.
- CARE South Sudan’s integrated projects address health, nutrition, food security, economic justice, peacebuilding and equality. We provide access to healthcare, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), nutrition services, and emergency health outreach programs, supporting the diverse needs of women, men, girls, and boys across the region.
For media inquiries, contact:
Evans Kenyi, CARE South Sudan Senior Communications Officer: evans.kenyi@care.org
David Mutua, CARE East Central, & Southern Africa Regional Communications Advisor: david.mutua@care.org