South Sudan Food Insecurity - Famine Declaration - DG ECHO Daily Map | 21/02/2017

The food security situation continues to deteriorate in South Sudan, reaching an unprecedented magnitude. The newly released Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report declared localized famine in two counties.

From February to April 2017, Leer and Mayendit counties are classified in famine with about 100 000 people at risk of dying. In total, 4.9 million people are in a crisis or emergency situation nationwide. At the height of the lean season in July, 5.5 million South Sudanese are projected to be in crisis or emergency situation.

Furthermore, acute malnutrition remains a major challenge to public health. Out of 23 counties with recent data, 14 have showed Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates above emergency levels of 15%. In some counties in Unity, GAM levels above 27% and 30% have been recorded.

Worsening malnutrition has also been found in the Greater Equatoria region, previously the bread basket of the country. This situation is atypical in the post-harvest season and is deeply alarming.

The situation would be even worse if unprecedented humanitarian aid was not in place. However, access remains difficult due to security, restrictions by parties to the conflict and logistics constraints.