Famine outbreak in South Sudan following escalation in violence

A spokesperson for the World Food Programme has warned of child malnourishment in the north of the country, as the UN peacekeeping mission reports a rise in violence.

MENA

1 min read

�� & agencies

14 October, 2016

UN agencies and other NGOs have had restricted access in the region recently [AFP]

A UNICEF spokesperson has warned of famine in South Sudan, days after the UN peacekeeping force warned of an escalation in violence, especially against civilians.

Mahimbo Mdoe warned that an estimated third of the children in the Bahr al-Ghazal region, north of the country, are malnourished.

The news comes as UNMISS issued a statement on Wednesday describing "heavy artillery and gunfire exchanges" in the country's north east.

"The Mission condemns in no uncertain terms these acts of violence and attacks against non-combatant civilians," the statement from UNMISS said.

"[UNMISS] urges all parties to cease the rhetoric of incitement, which is not the answer to South Sudan's problems."

According to AP, food deliveries by the World Food Programme (WFP) have been suspended again this week because of government "security requirements".

Minister for Information, Michael Makuei, told reporters this was because the WFP had "ulterior objectives" and had been "intransigent" with the government.

South Sudan allocates 44 percent of its annual budget to the military, compared with 11 percent on health, education and humanitarian affairs.