UNICEF says famine closing in on S. Sudan

Mon Nov 9, 2009

The United Nations children's agency UNICEF has warned of potential famine in southern Sudan, following low rainfalls and a surge in ethnic violence.

The world body says if action is not taken soon, the situation could have a serious impact on the lives of local people, especially children.

"Here the crisis is going to hit very hard. We can expect significant levels (of hunger) which can border on red flag emergency which becomes a famine," UNICEF's deputy executive director Hilde Johnson said on Sunday.

Poor rainfalls at the end of the rainy season along with a surge in tribal conflicts are the main reasons behind the current situation, added Johnson who is visiting south Sudan's oil-producing Jonglei state.

According to recent UN figures, about 1.2 million people are already suffering from serious food insecurity in the underdeveloped region.

The situation is expected to worsen in the coming months as a second dry season sets in and the few remaining food reserves are used up.

Officials say this could lead to conflicts between rival ethnic groups in the south.

This year alone, about 2,000 people in the region are thought to have lost their lives in tribal clashes.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/110804.html.