South Sudan food shortages

In Sudan almost 7 million people, 60 percent of the population are struggling to

find enough food each day. Though humanitarian agencies have managed to
reach most of those in greatest need, aid officials said efforts to raise the alarm at
an international level have failed to gain extra resources, leading to ration cuts for
those displaced people and refugees who are considered less needy. Flooding,
has also slowed down crop production as fields are washed away due to poor
infrastructure  , with only 60 percent of the 2018 national cereal needs met by the
harvest. Cereal production has steadily declined since the start of the conflict in
late 2013, and in 2017 was estimated at about 765 000 tonnes – approximately 25
percent below pre-conflict levels. Further complicating an already dire situation
this year, an earlier than anticipated start to the lean season, potentially poor
harvests in several counties, and possible returns from within and outside the
country, could put added pressure on already scarce natural resources. Conflict is
the main reason South Sudan has had major food shortages as the wars have
driven people out of the cities and in to the dry areas where agriculture is near
impossible. Local farmers are terrorized by local rebels as they often steal their
crops and animals. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, food prices have risen. Aid is
being given in South Sudan but it is not enough as rebels attack aid centers and
loot all the supplies. As they force their way in, this has led to the death of over
17 aid workers. The United Nations are the biggest aid providers to South Sudan
as they supply both resources and security to the local people.