This is according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday by United Nations (UN) agencies. The figure represents 56% of the population, with conditions classified at Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Phase 3 or above on the global hunger scale.
Among the people expected to face acute food insecurity, 73 300 people are projected to fall into IPC Phase 5, the catastrophic level. UN agencies said the figure represents a 160% increase from the previous estimate. A further 2.5 million people are projected to face IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) conditions, while 5.3 million people are expected to remain in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis).
UN agencies attributed the worsening crisis to escalating conflict, mass displacement, economic decline, climate shocks, flooding and below-capacity agricultural production. Displacement is compounding the emergency. In Jonglei, nearly 300 000 people have been uprooted, leaving communities harder to reach and disrupting food systems. Rising food prices, disrupted markets, and weakened household purchasing power are tightening access to basic staples.
Acute malnutrition is also worsening. UN agencies reported 2.2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, with conflict-related damage and clinic closures limiting access to health and nutrition services. Shortages of supplies and funding have reduced the availability of lifesaving treatment. Disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria and measles, are compounding risk, particularly for children already malnourished.
The joint statement warned of a credible famine risk in four counties across Upper Nile and Jonglei. IPC projections indicate 11 counties across Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei could reach IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 outcomes.
World Food Programme Director of Emergencies and Preparedness Ross Smith said access constraints are delaying assistance. Smith said repeated blockages have limited humanitarian reach in Jonglei and Upper Nile, while early rains are tightening delivery timelines. Smith described a “critical race against time” to scale up deliveries to remote areas.
UN agencies urged immediate international action and fresh funding to expand food assistance, nutrition programmes, clean water and sanitation, and health services to prevent further deterioration.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
