IN NUMBERS
4.9 million
People severely food insecure (IPC February-April 2017)
>100 000
People facing famine in the former Unity State
>3.4 million
People displaced by conflict
$61 million
Requested under the 2017 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan
HIGHLIGHTS
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Famine was declared in two counties (Leer and Mayendit) with a risk of famine in a further two (Koch and Panyijiar). The Government made the declaration on 20 February 2017, based on the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
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4.9 million People are severely food insecure (IPC Phases 3, 4 and 5) between February and April 2017, with this rising to 5.5 million people (almost 50 percent of the population) by the peak of the lean season in July.
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FAO is seeking USD 61 million under the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan for South Sudan. Of this, FAO is urgently seeking USD 33 million by May to ensure timely distribution of the kits.
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Livelihood support is critical for the most vulnerable populations to prevent asset depletion or reduce their adoption of negative coping mechanisms and reduce the number of people relying on food assistance for their survival in 2017.
BACKGROUND
On 20 February, the Government declared that there is ongoing famine in Leer and Mayendit counties and a high risk of famine for Koch and Panyijiar counties in Unity State. The declaration was based on the latest IPC analysis and reflects the impact of constrained humanitarian access largely owing to recurrent fighting. The scope of the food crisis is unprecedented, with many facing severe food insecurity for over a year, raising their vulnerabilities. Of concern are parts of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal where the recent harvest will soon be depleted, and market failure is devastating people’s income and purchasing power. Continued insecurity and the economic crisis has rendered the food supply pipeline from Uganda to Juba dysfunctional and the border with Sudan is closely controlled. Humanitarian assistance has played a significant role in assisting these households and averting catastrophe. Also, in many highly productive areas of Greater Equatoria, farmers failed to harvest their first crop and were unable to plant the second crop in 2016. Many fled to Uganda and some counties are almost depopulated, leading to the loss of the coming planting season.