Alarming situation for the people of South Sudan and Somalia

In South Sudan, 2.2 million people are at risk of starvation and in Somalia, people are dying in the worst hunger crisis in living memory. The people of South Sudan and Somalia are suffering almost unimaginably and Oxfam is now calling on world leaders to act with urgent support for both countries.

The climate crisis, conflicts and soaring food and fuel prices are hitting hardest those already living in the greatest vulnerability. People in South Sudan and Somalia are hard hit. Extreme weather conditions are causing devastating floods in South Sudan, while Somalia is suffering its worst drought in almost half a century. People's lives are being shattered by situations they did not cause, or cannot influence, the hunger crisis is a fact and starvation is imminent.

People in South Sudan eat leaves from bushes to survive

For the fifth consecutive year, South Sudan has been hit by severe floods, which have destroyed crops, homes and infrastructure. The floods are taking over areas in a way they did not before. Even when the rains stop, the soil remains soaked and water levels do not recede. Already vulnerable communities are struggling to survive.

Marta Kangach lives in Jonglei, one of the worst affected parts of the country. She has lost all her livestock and crops. "Right now we are living on leaves from bushes growing along the river. If you don't have food, you have to eat what is there," she says.

70% of the country is flooded and nearly one million people have been forced to flee their homes. 2.2 million people are at risk of hunger and 9.4 million are feared to be in need of humanitarian assistance by 2023, an increase of half a million since 2022. Without an immediate increase in aid, 7.7 million people, or two thirds of the population, are at risk of severe food shortages next year.

"The South Sudanese people are paying the price for a climate crisis that rich countries have caused. The world cannot continue to ignore the suffering of millions of people who struggle to survive every day. Funding is urgently needed to save lives and ensure that people can grow enough food, make a living and care for their families."

Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Country Director in South Sudan

The UN humanitarian appeal for South Sudan is only two-thirds funded and Oxfam is calling on the international community to meet the UN's urgent $1.7 billion appeal. The organization is also calling for the Loss and Damage Fund recently agreed at the COP27 climate summit to be set up as soon as possible to support countries like South Sudan, which are suffering the effects of a climate crisis they have done nothing to cause.

The people of Somalia are enduring the worst hunger crisis in living memory

In Somalia, the rains have failed for five consecutive seasons. The catastrophic drought has caused widespread crop failures and livestock deaths. Millions of people have lost their livelihoods and food supplies, while the price of basic goods has skyrocketed, making food too expensive for poor households. Protracted conflict, particularly in central and southern Somalia, further complicates the situation. The country is on the brink of famine.

5.6 million people are in a food crisis with food insecurity. This number is expected to rise to 6.4 million by March 2023 and to 8.3 million by June 2023. The number of people living in famine-like conditions is already higher than during the 2011 famine, when more than a quarter of a million people died. Almost half of all children under five are acutely malnourished.

"People are dying of hunger, malnutrition and disease in the worst hunger crisis in living memory. Today's efforts can only postpone a full-scale disaster for a limited time. Many more people will die unless there is an increase in aid. Within months, it is likely that almost half of Somalia's population will face severe hunger and communities will be at risk of starvation."

Parvin Ngala, Oxfam's Regional Director for the Horn of Africa, East and Central Africa.

Despite the extreme human suffering, only about half of the UN appeal for Somalia is currently funded. The world urgently needs to inject money to meet the UN's $2.27 billion appeal and help the government scale up its social protection programs.