Audio
Audio
South Sudan facing major food and nutrition crisis
FAO/UN photo
5 February 2014, Rome – This week, FAO has warned of a major food security and nutrition crisis in South Sudan, where 3.7 million people are now facing acute or emergency levels of food insecurity. UN agencies and NGOs have revised a Crisis Response Plan and are now seeking a total of $1.27 billion to meet urgent humanitarian needs in the first half of 2014. FAO is calling for $77 million for critical food security and livelihood support for the crisis-affected population, as prices of staple crops soar and basic commodities run out. The world’s newest nation has already been the scene of one of the largest humanitarian operations before the fighting began, but the situation is now deteriorating rapidly, according to Sue Lautze, FAO Head of Office in South Sudan. The country is witnessing collapsing markets and damaged infrastructure, while foreign traders are fleeing.

Massimo Castiello is FAO’s acting Head of Office in South Sudan. In the following interview he explains the current situation on the ground and what is included in FAO’s response plan. (Interview conducted by Richard Ruati)
3min. 24sec.
Topic(s): Emergencies/Crises, Food Security, Hunger & food insecurity
Produced by: Sandra Ferrari
 
Reference: 10343