Over 1 million people have fled to South Sudan since Sudan's war began, only to find more hunger on arrival as severe economic deterioration, extreme weather and conflict take a heavy toll.

Food insecurity is nearing record highs, with 7.7 million people (57 percent of the population) projected to be in crisis or worse levels of hunger during the lean season which started in April. A total of 2.1 million children are at risk of malnutrition.

The multiplying shocks have made it impossible for smallholder farmers in many areas to grow enough food. Additionally, with a heavy reliance on imports, many people across South Sudan are unable to afford basic food items and must rely on humanitarian assistance.

WFP provides people fleeing Sudan with fortified biscuits or hot meals, a one-time food or cash ration, and nutrition support for children and mothers at border areas. These people are then integrated into regular WFP assistance in their communities of origin or refugee camps.

While much of WFP's activities are focused on keeping people alive, we are also working with conflict and climate-affected communities to implement long-term solutions to reduce hunger.

Funding for both humanitarian responses and resilience-building are failing to keep pace with rising needs. This means WFP can only provide half rations and must prioritize life-saving assistance for those closest to famine.

What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the South Sudan emergency

Food assistance
WFP and its partners have continued to deploy rapid response teams, exploiting windows of opportunity to reach people in need. Since the Integrated Rapid Response Mechanism launched, teams have deployed for more than 400 missions in deep field locations in South Sudan. Through these joint emergency teams, WFP reaches 500,000 people per month in areas that are only accessible by air.
Climate resilience
WFP has been supporting the rehabilitation of infrastructure including dykes and roads, in areas affected by widespread flooding. We have further supported families in growing flood-resistant crops like rice and increasing the production of vital cereals.
Cash transfers
In South Sudan, WFP uses cash transfers across its programmes and activities, navigating the challenges of a fragile political context, with related security issues, as well as inflation. Cash assistance empowers beneficiaries letting them choose what to buy, and increases cost-efficiency and effectiveness, reducing the need to transport and preposition food commodities.
School meals
Schools meals support a healthy and productive learning environment for children. Where WFP has provided school meals, enrolment and attendance rates have increased by up to 80 percent. However, progress is threatened by funding shortfalls.
Nutrition
WFP and UNICEF have continued their succesful partnership to intensify the nutrition response in South Sudan. WFP has provided treatment to malnourished children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, in addition to training community nutrition volunteers. We continue to support outreach efforts through more than 12,000 community nutrition volunteers throughout South Sudan.

Publications

Show more

How you can help

Please donate today and help life-saving support reach those families who need it the most.
Donate now

In focus

Show more

Partners and Donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in South Sudan is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Canada European Union France Germany Japan

Advanced search