The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has warned that South Sudan is at a dangerous crossroads, facing the risk of sliding toward full-scale famine and collapse. Addressing the Security Council on Friday, he stated that "hunger across South Sudan is tightening its grip," with emergency levels of food insecurity expected across all 10 states during the lean season, which lasts until the end of July.

After spending a week in the country, Fletcher expressed fear that his next briefing might speak of famine. He reported that humanitarian compounds were looted and nutrition centres destroyed in areas surrounding Akobo in Jonglei State, where over 140,000 people are in "dire need of help." He added that more than 7.5 million people will require food assistance this year, with the crisis unfolding amid ongoing floods that cut off communities and devastate livelihoods.

The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Anita Kiki Gbeho, told the Security Council that "civilians continue to bear the brunt" amid intensifying fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition, particularly in Jonglei. Fighting escalated late last year after a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war, leading to the displacement of over 280,000 civilians.

Fletcher urged the Security Council to press for unhindered humanitarian access, increase flexible funding, and demand that all parties fully respect humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and infrastructure. As the council considers renewing the UNMISS mandate, which is in place until April 30, Gbeho noted that "the scale and urgency of needs on the ground are not yet matched by the type of sustained commitment and investment required to fully meet the shared ambition of a sustainable path to peace."

Source: www.aljazeera.com