Catastrophic Hunger Crisis Endangers the Lives of 40,000 in South Sudan

The international humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger issued an urgent call to action today highlighting life-or-death needs and demanding full humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas of South Sudan, where a newly released report indicates that 40,000 people are facing catastrophe and require immediate assistance.
Communities literally caught in the crossfire of protracted civil conflict in Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile states are out of reach of humanitarian assistance and unable to meet their most basic survival needs.  Data from Action Against Hunger’s initial emergency nutrition surveys—and data published this week from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)—indicate Unity State in particular has reached an alarming tipping point.  The situation will only get worse unless large-scale, immediate humanitarian action is taken, Action Against Hunger warns.
“Our own preliminary evidence suggests a ‘full-blown’ nutrition emergency in Unity State. But it is absolutely vital that we get full access and ‘air asset support,’ without delay, to other conflict-affected areas in Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile to gather reliable information on humanitarian needs,” said Action Against Hunger USA Chief Executive Andrea Tamburini. “The warning signs are in plain sight. If we fail to mobilize immediately, we will all bear responsibility for a horrific and preventable human tragedy.”

Read more: Catastrophic Hunger Crisis Endangers the Lives of 40,000 in South Sudan (Action Against Hunger USA)