Attachments
In Numbers
22,413 mt of food distributed
USD 5.96 million cash-based transfers distributed
USD 452 million six months net funding requirements (May
– October 2023)
2.8 million people assisted in April 2023
Operational Updates
Security situation
Subnational violence continued in several states in April, including Jonglei, Upper Nile, Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria State, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), among others.
WFP’s response to the Sudan crisis
Following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in mid-April, 23,611 returnees and refugees were registered as of 30 April 2023, with the Renk border point accounting for 88 percent of new arrivals. Others crossed through entry points in Northern Bahr, Unity, and Western Bahr el Ghazal states, and the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA).
WFP’s immediate response plan focuses on providing lifesaving assistance in the form of hot meals at reception and transit centres, covering a general ration and specialized nutritious food to prevent and treat malnutrition. The medium-term response focuses on providing nutrition services and dry rations to refugees and returnees upon settling in refugee camps and their communities, respectively.
From 26 April, WFP started providing life-saving food assistance through hot meals for the new arrivals and specialized nutritious food for the most vulnerable, reaching 5,000 people by the end of April. 300 children received a nutrition package comprising of high energy fortified food or cooked super cereal plus, while 268 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers received specialised nutritious foods to prevent malnutrition.
The latest influx of refugees and returnees compounds the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan and continues to strain WFP resources, which remain stretched amidst increasing humanitarian needs. WFP requires an additional USD 30.3 million to meet critical food and nutrition needs for returnees and newly arrived refugees from May to October 2023.
Impact of the Sudan crisis
The Sudan conflict disrupted the flow of food commodities along the main border crossings, including Renk County of Upper Nile State, Amiet market in the AAA, and Gokmachar Payam in Aweil North County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The disruption contributed to severe fuel and food commodities shortages in these areas, leading to significant price hikes. In the first two weeks of the crisis, the cost of the food basket increased by 18 to 56 percent while purchasing power declined by 11 to 31 percent in areas along the northern border. The percentage of households experiencing severe food insecurity is expected to increase by 10 to 12 percent nationally.
The South Sudanese Pound (SSP) continued to depreciate relative to the US dollar (USD). By 30 April, a US dollar exchanged at SSP 876 in the reference market in Juba, representing a two percent depreciation of the SSP with respect to the third week of April. Parallel market rates varied between SSP 850 to 920, indicating the lowest exchange rate in April.