South Sudan, Maban, Yusuf Batil refugee camp, July 2012



Poor harvests, soaring food and fuel prices, conflict and displacement have led to rising hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan. Rains have intensified in the northern border states, and although food has been prepositioned, rising numbers of refugees from the Republic of Sudan mean increasing logistical challenges. While WFP is providing lifesaving food to meet the immediate needs of the hungry, we are also supporting agriculture and infrastructure projects to build longer-term food security in the new nation. WFP plans to provide food assistance to some 2.9 million people in South Sudan this year through general food distributions, nutrition activities, school meals, providing food for institutions and food-for-assets projects. WFP will target 600,000 children, pregnant women and nursing mothers with the vital nutrition they need, deploying smart foods like Plumpy’sup and Super Cereal to prevent irreversible damage to children’s brains and bodies from lack of nutrition. A recent Food Security and Monitoring System assessment indicates malnutrition rates among children under 5 have reached levels above the global acute malnutrition rate emergency threshold (15 percent) in four states. 



Top Photo: A woman using traditional method to carry her bags of food assistance provided to refugees by WFP at the Yusuf Batil refugee camp.

Left Photo: Man pours grains into a bag during July food distribution for refugees at the Yusuf Batil refugee camp in South Sudan.

Right Photo: Women return to shelters after receiving food assistance provided by WFP at Yusuf Batil refugee Camp.

Photos: WFP/George Fominyen