JUBA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said on Monday that it is facing a funding shortfall of 379 million U.S. dollars for the rest of 2025 as it ramps up humanitarian assistance to address the food crisis in South Sudan.
According to the WFP, needs include the food and nutrition requirements of crisis-affected people, food prepositioning before the rainy season intensifies in May, and other logistical support services.
"About 9.3 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2025, an increase of 300,000 from 2024. Over 1.8 million people remain internally displaced due to years of violence and the impact of climate change, including floods and dry spells," the WFP said in its update for South Sudan.
According to the UN agency, South Sudan is facing a confluence of crises that continue to push the country toward new levels of vulnerability. The crises include violence and chronic food and nutrition insecurity, worsened by the severe economic downturn and climatic shocks.
"The ongoing Sudan conflict has compounded the situation by driving 1.1 million people into South Sudan," the WFP said.
It warned that the situation could worsen, with projections indicating that 7.7 million people face acute food insecurity during the 2025 lean season from April to July.
According to the WFP, malnutrition rates continue to increase, with 3.2 million children and women at risk of malnutrition, representing a 28 percent increase compared to 2024. ■
