Famine declared in part of South Sudan
Famine has been declared in two counties of South Sudan, the result of prolonged civil war and an entrenched economic crisis that has devastated the war-torn East African nation.
South Sudan's government and three UN agencies say more than 100,000 people in two counties of Unity state are experiencing famine and there are fears that the famine will spread as an additional one million South Sudanese are on the brink of starvation.
The official classification of famine highlights the human suffering caused by South Sudan's three-year civil war. Even as it is declared UN officials say President Salva Kiir's government is blocking food aid to some areas.
"Our worst fears have been realised," said Serge Tissot, head of the Food and Agriculture Organisation in South Sudan.
He said the war has disrupted the otherwise fertile country, causing civilians to rely on "whatever plants they can find and fish they can catch."
Roughly 5.5 million people, or about 50 per cent of South Sudan's population, are expected to be severely food insecure and at risk of death in the coming months, the report said.
It added that nearly three-quarters of all households in the country suffer from inadequate food.
