Famine has been declared in South Sudan, and is looming in Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help.
Famine has been declared in regions of South Sudan’s Unity State, in the world’s newest country, which has been embroiled in conflict since its independence.
Largely located in the northern regions of the country, the famine is affecting 100,000 people with a further one million at risk. Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen are also on the brink of famine as they struggle to respond to drought, rising food prices and a lack of food.
The U.N. describes this as the largest humanitarian crisis since the agency was founded in 1945. The situation is different from many other famines or food security crises: this time, it’s man-made.
The catastrophe has already arrived. We’re now in a simple fight to save lives – it is a fight against the clock that the international community is currently losing. – Ciaran Donnelly, SVP of international programs at the IRC
What is famine?
Famine is not a rhetorical or emotive term. It is a scientific classification based on evidence. A food crisis can only be called a ‘famine’ once certain criteria have been met, such as at least 30% of a country’s children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Famines are not common. When a famine is declared it means people are already dying. And the last time this happened, six years ago in the Horn of Africa, the cause was a natural one: drought.
This time it’s man-made: violence and conflict are cutting off supply routes, driving food prices sky high and impeding access for aid agencies.
What does food insecurity mean?
While famine rages in South Sudan, people in Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are on the brink of famine, or ‘severe food insecurity’. Food insecurity means there is not enough affordable food for people to buy. This leads to hunger, malnutrition and possible starvation.
