UN: 63% of South Sudan's Population Faces Food Crisis

The United Nations (UN) and the government of South Sudan announced today, Saturday, that more than 7.7 million citizens, or about 63 percent of the population of this country where violence is escalating, will face a food crisis by July, according to Agence France-Presse(AFP).

The figure was up 7 percent compared to the same period last year (April to July), which coincides with the dry season.

According to the joint report presented to the press on Saturday, climatic shocks (floods and droughts) and population displacement contribute to the exacerbation of food insecurity, as well as armed clashes in parts of the country.

"The status quo in South Sudan will continue unless we start and ensure peace at the local level," said Sarah Bisulo Nyanti, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan.

"Until the conflict is resolved, we will continue to see these numbers because it means that people do not have safe access to their land to farm," said Adinka Bajo, acting director of the World Food Program in South Sudan.