By: TPA News Desk | World News | www.thepointafricanews.com/world-news

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for 274 million U.S. dollars to sustain its vital support for 2.5 million of South Sudan’s most food-insecure individuals through the end of the year. The international agency, which has already assisted over 2 million people in the country so far this year, warns of catastrophic consequences if the funding gap is not immediately closed.

Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director for South Sudan, made the pressing call last Wednesday, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation. Over half of South Sudan’s population, an estimated 7.7 million people, are currently grappling with severe hunger, with pockets of the country facing an imminent risk of famine. This crisis is exacerbated by a complex mix of factors including persistent conflict, devastating climate shocks like floods, and deep-seated economic challenges that continue to erode livelihoods.

Due to existing funding shortfalls, WFP has been forced to make difficult decisions, prioritizing assistance for only the most vulnerable 2.5 million people – representing just about 30 percent of those in acute need. Furthermore, the aid provided has been significantly reduced, with most programs currently delivering only about 50 percent of the required rations to stretch limited resources. In very high-risk areas, where the threat of famine is most acute, rations are slightly higher but still below full requirements.

“We are reducing the level of assistance. We are reducing the rations,” McGroarty told reporters in Juba. “Without a major scale-up in assistance… we urgently need to get food to these families, and we are doing everything possible to reach those who need it most before the situation spirals.”

The requested $274 million is critical to prevent a further deterioration of the food security situation, especially as the lean season progresses and conflict continues to displace communities and disrupt access to food and markets. WFP and its partners stress that immediate and robust donor support is essential to avert a full-blown catastrophe and save lives in a nation already pushed to the brink.