Thousands at risk of starving to death in South Sudan

World Today

SSudan fammine 1

A lack of aid in South Sudan has forced people to resort to desperate measures just to survive. Aid workers have said urgent care is needed for the country’s most vulnerable.

CGTN’s Patrick Oyet reports.

For months, people have been hiding and living in a swamp along the Nile as conflict surrounds them. Some will come out only because they know UN aid workers will be bringing food.

Aid workers have said urgent intervention is needed to help tens of thousands of people suffering in South Sudan. However, access to parts of the country hit by famine remains a challenge.

A poor road network, insecurity and occasional restrictions from armed groups have put the lives of many at high risk of starvation.

Some children have already shown the classic signs of malnutrition.

The U.N. has accused the government of blocking access to certain parts of South Sudan. President Salva Kiir has vowed to ensure aid agencies can get in. Kiire has insisted this is not a famine, but rather a food shortage.


Peter Pham talks about famine in South Sudan

To talk about the dire situation facing millions in South Sudan, CGTN’s Asieh Namdar spoke with Director of the Africa Center Atlantic Council, Peter Pham.