Facts:

• More than 70,000 people died from hunger and related diseases during the civil war between government and rebels

Causes of food shortage:

• Civil war between government and rebels caused people to be displaced from their homes and no one could tend to crops
  → 70% of population depend on farming for food
• Drought → Crops cannot survive without sufficient water
• Desertification → 70% of the land is arid/semiarid → Not enough nutrients for plants to grow well

Problems:

• Regular famine – In May 2016, United Nations warned of 5 million people in South Sudan would face food shortages
• Malnutrition of children
  → Reduces capacity to work, lowers productivity
  → More children susceptible to disease

Measures taken:

• United Nations food programme delivers food
• Red Cross providing
  → agricultural supplies like seeds, farming tools
  → clean water
  → household items like sleeping mats, soap, utensils

Last updated: Apr 2025