Source: CRN
An estimated 200,000 people in Juba are now facing food insecurity. This is information from a survey done by Food Security and Nutrition partners in the country. They further reported that due to the situation, more than 80 percent of those at risk of food insecurity have resorted to crisis or emergency coping strategies due to the stress households are facing.
The report adds that over 90 percent of households have reduced the number of meals they take per day and 53 percent have spent days without eating. Borrowing of food, eating unusual wild fruits and skipping days without eating tripled in 2016 compared to 2015, according to the Food Security and Nutrition partners report.
The report warns that food insecurity is likely to worsen from January to April 2017.The food insecurity is expected to be at its peak between May to July 2017. They attribute the deteriorating food security situation mainly to the rates of inflation, deteriorating South Sudanese Pound, loss of employment opportunities among others. In October 2016, South Sudan’s inflation rate was the highest in the world.
Poor access to basic services, crowded living environment, conflict and insecurity around Juba worsened the situation.
Meanwhile the United States of America has express concerns about the increasing violence in South Sudan’s Equatoria region, fearing it could run out of control. Mark C. Toner, US State Department Deputy Spokesman says 1,900 civilian houses had been destroyed in Central Equatoria since September after government deployment of 4,000 militia force.
The US has called on the international community to impose an arms embargo and targeted sanctions to discourage ongoing violence in South Sudan. In their statement, they have called for the establishment of a special court to try war crimes and crimes against humanity
The US Administration said it cannot turn a blind eye to such crimes and must ensure that all those who order, incite or commit violence against civilians are held accountable.
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