Over 1.2 million people may face hunger in 2012 due to internal and border insecurity, erratic rains and returns from the north.
FAO food security specialist Elijah Mukhala said the UN agency estimates that 1.2 million people will be severely food insecure next year compared to 970,000 last year, AFP reported.Mr. Mukhala added that South Sudan needs to produce one million metric tons of food each year to feed itself, but this year’s production is around half that.
Lise Grande, who coordinates U.N. humanitarian efforts in South Sudan, said three million people are classed as moderately or severely food insecure this year in the country.