The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, David Shearer, said Thursday the ongoing conflict is affecting food security in some of the country’s more stable states.
Shearer made these remarks during his visit to Aweil State, where he acquainted himself with the humanitarian situation.
“Dwindling provisions arriving in the town and skyrocketing food prices have meant that places like Aweil, which are generally peaceful, have suffered the effects of the conflict taking place in other parts of the country,” said Shearer.
The UNMISS official also visited the town of Kuajok, the capital of Gogrial State on Wednesday, where he praised the state authorities for closing seven road blocks in the state- a move which has facilitated trade and enabled humanitarian access.
He also expressed hope that this could be sustained and replicated elsewhere.
In February, the United Nations and South Sudan government declared a famine in some parts of the country, where 5.5 million people face food shortages.
Photo: UNMISS chief David Shearer speaks to journalists at a press conference in Juba on 22 February, 2017. (Radio Tamazuj).