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South Sudan: One million people at risk of severe food insecurity, despite improved harvests

Countries
South Sudan
Sources
FAO
+ 1 more
Publication date
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Mission highlights

• Generally favourable rains and no outbreaks of pests and diseases in 2012, resulted in a net cereal production of about 761 000 tonnes in the traditional sector. At this level, production is about 35 percent above the 2011 estimates and about 6 percent above the average of the previous five years.

• With a projected population of about 10.4 million people in 2013, an overall cereal deficit of nearly 371 000 tonnes is estimated, until the next harvest in late 2013.

• Livestock body conditions are generally good due to adequate pasture and water availability.

• Prices of locally produced cereals have declined in most markets since August/September 2012, but still remain higher than in previous seasons. Higher prices of livestock, especially small ruminants, have improved the terms-of-trade for pastoralists.

• Households are heavily dependent on markets for their staple food supply and exhibit very high levels of expenditure on food, implying that market price patterns need close monitoring as they are a major determinant of household food security

• In 2013, about 4.1 million people are estimated to be facing food insecurity, of which just over 1 million are severely food insecure

• Out of these overall needs, in order to assist the most food insecure rural households, vulnerable children, IDPs, refugees and returnees, an estimated 224 000 tonnes of food will be required in 2013.

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