Sudan Sudan’s government has admitted that the war-affected areas in Greater Unity State and the Equatoria region have been severely hit by famine, saying nearly 5.5 million people are expected to be food insecure by July if nothing is done to curb the severity and spread of the food crisis.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update released today by the government, three UN agencies and other humanitarian partners, 4.9 million people are in need of urgent food, agriculture and nutrition assistance.

Speaking at a news conference in Juba today, Isaiah Chol Aruai, Chairman of South Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistics, said: "in greater Unity state, some counties are classified in famine or risk of famine”.

Chol further said long term effect of the conflict coupled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agricultural production and depleted livelihood options are all contributing to the deterioration of the food security situation, making about 4.9 million people face food insecurity in the country.

The official urged all actors to scale up their efforts in order to prevent further deterioration of food insecurity and malnutrition in the coming months.

Photo: Isaiah Chol Aruai (Radio Tamazuj)