The world's newest nation is struggling to cope with the fallout from escalating conflict with Sudan
LONDON (AlertNet) - More than half of South Sudan's 9 million people are facing food shortages this year, with the country's cereal deficit set to be more than double last year's shortfall, the United Nations has said.
"At least 1 million people will be severely food insecure, while an additional 3.7 million - some 1.5 million more than last year - will be on the border line," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report covering the first four months of the year.
The world's newest nation has been beset by problems since gaining independence in July 2011.
It has struggled to cope with displacement caused by fighting between rival communities in Jonglei state, an influx of refugees escaping conflict in areas bordering Sudan and the return of hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese - all of which have put pressure on food supplies.
Meanwhile, a decision to shut down its oil production due to a row with Khartoum over oil payments has led to a rapidly worsening economic crisis.
OCHA said the oil shutdown, accompanied by austerity measures the South Sudanese government is poised to enact to make up for lost oil revenue, "could push millions more South Sudanese into destitution".
The OCHA report was published as international aid agencies warned that the onset of the rainy season would hamper access to communities in need of aid.
OCHA said agencies have been pre-positioning food stocks in strategic locations around the country where they believe violence could flare.
In a separate statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said humanitarian needs have been mounting in South Sudan since fighting intensified along the border with Sudan last month.
"Many people left their homes in a hurry because of the violence, often leaving everything behind and finding some sort of shelter in makeshift camps," said Melker Mabeck, the ICRC's head of delegation in South Sudan.
He said hospitals, particularly in Bentiu in Unity state bordering Sudan, have been struggling to cope with an influx of wounded patients.
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