Ominous sign of a food crisis for South Sudan as 4.8m people face severe hunger

In response to the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) update on South Sudan's food security situation, Oxfam’s Country Director in South Sudan Ranjan Poudyal said:

"4.8 million people in South Sudan are facing severe hunger in the middle of the harvest season. This is an ominous sign of a food crisis fast spiralling out of control and urgent action is needed. That is almost 1.5 million people more than the same time last year. By 2018, 300,000 more people will be severely hungry - unless planned assistance is further strengthened.’’

“South Sudanese are fleeing violence only to face a renewed threat from hunger. The message cannot be any clearer; people need peace. Along with sending aid, the international community needs to redouble its efforts to bring all warring parties to the negotiating table and to peacefully end the war."