Food crisis threatens South Sudan

- About a quarter of the population of South Sudan, 2.8 million people, is threatened by growing food shortages. At least 40,000 people are already in acute distress. That warning comes Monday by UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, all three organizations of the United Nations.

Hunger in South Sudan is increasing rapidly, while this is normally the time of year with the most food. If the food is already scarce, say UN agencies, it will be soon between April and July rapidly worse. The next dry season will lead to extra hungry. Fish, meat and milk will no longer be available soon. Assistance, according to the UN, is urgently needed.

WFP hopes to help 2.8 million people with food production and protection of livestock. Children's Organization, UNICEF wants to 165. 000 children treated for acute malnutrition. But help so many people do not succeed without political support. The UN especially hopes that the peace agreement was signed last year, is conducted between the government and rebels. That would mean that getting the UN agencies access to conflict areas where famine.