Latest news with #MaryEllenMcGroarty
Zawya
07-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
World Food Programme (WFP) airdrops food to prevent catastrophe as hunger surges in conflict-hit parts of South Sudan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) began airdropping emergency food assistance to thousands of families in South Sudan's Upper Nile State, where surging conflict since March has forced families from their homes and pushed some communities to the brink of famine. These distributions mark WFP's first access in over four months to deliver life-saving food and nutrition assistance to more than 40,000 people facing catastrophic hunger in the most remote parts of Nasir and Ulang counties, areas only accessible by air. 'The link between conflict and hunger is tragically clear in South Sudan and we've seen this over the past few months in Upper Nile,' said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. 'Without a major scale-up in assistance, the counties of Nasir and Ulang risk slipping into full-blown famine. We urgently need to get food to these families, and we are doing everything possible to reach those who need it most before the situation spirals.' More than one million people across Upper Nile are facing acute hunger, including over 32,000 people already experiencing Catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5) - the highest level of food insecurity. This figure has tripled since armed conflict flared in March, triggering mass displacement, including across the border into Ethiopia where WFP is providing life-saving food aid to around 50,000 people who have fled from Upper Nile in search of food and safety. WFP aims to reach 470,000 people in Upper Nile and Northern Jonglei through the lean season – the hungriest time of year, which runs through August - but continued fighting and logistical constraints have hindered access and a comprehensive response. WFP has only been able to reach 300,000 people in Upper Nile so far this year. The main river routes into the state must be reopened urgently in order to reach hungry families with sustained humanitarian support. These routes are the most cost-effective way to reach large swathes of Upper Nile and northern Jonglei states to deliver crucial assistance but have been blocked by active fighting since mid-April. WFP has 1,500MT of food ready to transport once river routes are operational again. 'Where we have been able to consistently deliver, we've seen real progress,' McGroarty said. 'In the first half of this year, we pushed back catastrophic hunger in areas of Jonglei State through regular deliveries of food assistance, and we can do the same in Upper Nile. But if we can't get the food to people, hunger will deepen and famine is a real and present threat.' A global funding slowdown is worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Nationwide, 7.7 million people – 57 percent of the population – are facing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic levels of hunger. An unprecedented 2.3 million children are at risk of malnutrition. Due to funding gaps, WFP has prioritized assistance with reduced rations for only the most vulnerable 2.5 million people—just 30 percent of those in acute need – to stretch limited resources. WFP urgently needs US$274 million to continue life-saving operations through December. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Famine stalks two counties in South Sudan as fragile peace is threatened
The warning comes amidst increased violence and a worsening food security condition which has 11 out of 13 counties in the state facing emergency levels of hunger and 32,000 of these inhabitants facing catastrophic level hunger conditions, almost three times previous estimates. 'We are seeing the devastating impact conflict has on food security in South Sudan,' said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, Country Director for the World Food Programme (WFP) in South Sudan. 'Conflict doesn't just destroy homes and livelihoods, it tears communities apart, cuts off access to markets, and sends food prices spiralling upward,' Ms. McGroarty said. Country-wide hunger In total, 7.7 million people across South Sudan will face acute food insecurity, accounting for over half of the entire population. Additionally, 2.3 million children in South Sudan face malnutrition, a rise from 2.1 million at the beginning of the year. FAO expects these numbers to increase as the country prepares to enter the lean and wet season which will further diminish food supplies and potentially worsen displacement. The agency did note that counties in which violence has been largely absent have seen improvements in food insecurity as a result of increased crop production and humanitarian efforts. However, hunger continues. Despite such ongoing challenges, Meshack Malo, the country representative of FAO in South Sudan, said that these results are proof of the 'dividends of peace.' Descent into conflict South Sudan, the world's youngest country, gained independence in 2011 and immediately fell into a brutal and devastating civil war which ultimately ended in 2018 thanks to a peace agreement between political rivals which has largely held. However, recent political tensions and increased violent attacks, especially in the Upper Nile State, threaten to unravel the peace agreement and plunge the nation back into conflict. 'South Sudan cannot afford to sink into conflict at this point in time. It will plunge already vulnerable communities into severe food insecurity, leading to widespread hunger,' said Meshack Malo, Country Representative of FAO in South Sudan. Humanitarian difficulties FAO said that humanitarian access must be improved in order to address the worsening hunger situation. The FAO report also emphasized that peace and capacity building is the only sustainable solution for food insecurity in South Sudan. 'Long-term peace is essential, but right now, it is critical our teams are able to access and safely distribute food to families caught in conflict in Upper Nile, to bring them back from the brink and prevent famine," said Ms. McGroarty. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)-funded nutrition support reaches more than 6,000 vulnerable women and children in South Sudan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached more than 6,000 vulnerable mothers and children in flood-affected Bentiu, Unity State, with lifesaving nutrition assistance, thanks to generous funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). The US$400,000 contribution enabled WFP to procure and distribute specialized nutritious foods, including Super Cereal Plus - fortified blended food - and Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements – Plumpy Doz. These products are designed to prevent acute malnutrition in children aged six months and above, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Malnutrition levels in Bentiu remain alarmingly high following years of severe flooding that have submerged vast areas of land, displaced entire communities, and heightened exposure to waterborne diseases—factors that significantly increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children. 'As hunger and malnutrition continue to outpace available resources, support for nutrition programmes is more vital than ever,' said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. 'Getting the right nutrition to young children and mothers at the right time not only saves lives—it gives children a chance to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Our partnership with KSrelief is helping make that possible.' This intervention comes at a time when nearly 7.7 million people across South Sudan face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above)—a near record high – including an estimated 2.1 million children who are at-risk of malnutrition this year. WFP and KSrelief have been global partners for a decade, since KSrelief was established in 2015 in Riyadh. The two organisations have collaborated in South Sudan since 2018, with this latest contribution reinforcing their shared commitment to improving health and nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
