The United States embassy in Juba has urged the transitional government of South Sudan to embrace actions that support food security in the country.
The embassy made this call through its social media platform on wednesday 16th October, as the world commemorate World Food Day.
In a statement seen by CBN, the embassy reveals that nearly 10 million people are deeply affected by the devastating food insecurity in South Sudan.
“On World Food Day this year – as in prior years – as many as 9 million people in South Sudan are experiencing acute food insecurity. This is both tragic and unnecessary, as South Sudan has plentiful fertile and arable land.” The statement reads.
The US recalls its commitment in combating humanitarian crisis in the Africa’s youngest nation.
It recounts providing a cumulative amount surpassing $700 million in humanitarian assistance.
This includes additional $100 million the country announced in September to provide tens of thousands tons of food aid to a million people.
“Over the past year, the American people have provided over $600 million in humanitarian assistance to help people in South Sudan.
Most recently, in September, we announced an additional $100 million in food assistance, which will deliver 42,000 metric tons of food to approximately 1 million people facing acute food insecurity in South Sudan in the coming months.”The statement adds.
“While climate shocks have contributed to the humanitarian crisis, many of the causes of food insecurity are in the hands of the South Sudanese leaders to address. These include conflict, economic volatility, and corruption.”
The state embassy called for urgent intervention through mitigating solutions that will minimize humanitarian crisis. It called for proper regulation of public revenue.
“We call on the transitional government to act with urgency to respond to the needs of the South Sudanese people, by addressing the causes of humanitarian crisis in their country, including through the transparent use of public revenue to support food security.” The embassy called.
