An increasing number of South Sudanese will continue to face difficulty in meeting daily food needs in 2017, UN Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO warns.
FAO says in a statement that economic downturn and insecurity cripple food production and trade.
The end of lean season and start of harvests in South Sudan are traditionally associated with a reduction in food insecurity due to more food stocks and lower food prices in the markets.
FAO assessments indicate that the number of severely food insecure people now is 3.7 million people, representing 31 percent of the country’s estimated population.
An increase of an overall one million people compared to the same period last year.
FAO experts warn that the benefits will be short lived as local stocks will reduce rapidly.