The threat of hunger is looming over half of South Sudan due to an accute food shortage.
The UN said in its weekly humanitarian bulletin that food security has deteriorated to crisis levels in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states.The situation is the result of a combination of factors that include low production, insecurity, high numbers of displaced and returnees, commercial blockages and sharp increases in prices.
The Food Security Monitoring System indicates that some 11 per cent of the families in South Sudan are severely food insecure and 33 per cent moderately food insecure.
Pre-harvest surveys conducted in 17 counties revealed that 11 counties across five states present worrying levels of malnutrition.
The situation could improve in December with the new harvest but this year South Sudan produced only half of the food it needs to survive.