South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir issued an urgent appeal for international and regional aid as the world’s youngest nation faces a famine that has left almost half of the population in dire need.

Kiir issued a statement through his information minister Michael Makuei at the State House in the capital Juba today.

“My address to the nation is to affirm that the Great South Sudan Run pioneered by the peace loving peoples from our neighboring country. On this historical and unique day, I passionately desire to share with each and everyone of you that once more our country is struck yet again by another national challenge, that of famine and poverty,” partly reads Kiir’s statement.

Kiir also appealed to the people of South Sudan to join hands to rescue the current situation in the country as soon as possible. “I appeal to every South Sudanese citizen to show the rest of the world, our local effort and commitment to help famine-affected children, mothers and the elderly by making financial contributions and to come out on Saturday the 8th of April, 2017,” he said.

South Sudan’s Great Marathon, which aims to promote peace and raise funds for the war-torn country that is facing famine, will kick off on April 8 in Juba. It will be attended by six athletes from neighboring Ethiopia led by the athletics legend Haile Gebre-Selassie and three others from Kenya.

Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accused South Sudan government of refusing to express any meaningful concern about the plight of 100,000 South Sudanese who are enduring famine, 7.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance and thousands more fleeing due to insecurity.

Photo: South Sudan President Salva Kiir speaks to citizens at Juba International Airport on Sunday August 10, 2014. (Radio Tamazuj)