Severe flooding, aid cuts deepen hunger crisis in South Sudan: charity

JUBA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Widespread flooding for the sixth consecutive year in South Sudan, combined with aid cuts, is aggravating the country's hunger crisis, international charity Save the Children said on Thursday.

Christopher Nyamandi, country director for Save the Children in South Sudan, said the hunger crisis is deteriorating and remains underreported despite ranking among the most severe globally.

"What lies ahead for children in South Sudan could be catastrophic. The heavy rainfall has already submerged towns and is expected to continue for weeks," Nyamandi said.

He added that aid cuts disrupted the charity's operations, with its budget reduced by 3.1 million U.S. dollars in spring, forcing staff cuts in nutrition and child protection programs and limiting supplies.

The charity said an estimated 1.4 million people -- about one-sixth of the country's population -- face a flooding threat this year, with above-average rainfall expected in October and November.

Communities have lost farmland, livelihoods, homes, and access to schools and health facilities, it said, with 379,000 children and adults displaced by rising waters.

This convergence of crises has triggered food shortages nationwide: 7.7 million people are facing acute hunger, and 2.3 million children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition.

About 83,000 people are said to be enduring famine-like food shortages, especially in the Upper Nile region, Save the Children added. Enditem