Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The hunger crisis in South Sudan has intensified due to violence, extreme weather, and reduced aid, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported. About 7.8 million South Sudanese—over half the population—now face high levels of acute food insecurity, with urgent nutrition needs among 2.2 million children and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women, according to WFP Assistant Executive Director Matthew Hollingworth.
Mr. Hollingworth stated that the ongoing "super El Niño" event has sharply reduced agricultural productivity, causing drought and low yields, even in fertile areas. He warned that without more resources, about one million vulnerable people could lose access to life-saving food and nutrition support by October.
The extreme weather linked to El Niño is also affecting neighboring countries such as Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya, worsening food security across the region.
Additionally, Sudan’s war is forcing around 3,000 refugees weekly into South Sudan, including returning former South Sudanese refugees, further straining the humanitarian situation as they seek safety, food, water, and shelter.
El Niño, a climate pattern involving unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, typically disrupts rainfall and temperatures far beyond the Pacific region. The current event is occurring amid exceptionally warm ocean conditions, increasing its severity—an effect UN chief António Guterres called “supersized before our eyes.”