Nearly 135 million people in 55 countries were on the brink of famine in 2019
According to the UN 135 million people in around 50 countries are severely affected by famine in 2019. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that these are the highest numbers for a long time. Extreme weather conditions and conflicts between countries are at the origin of this crisis. Africa is the most affected continent, with 75 million people. The most troubled countries in Africa are: South Sudan (61%), Yemen (53%) Afghanistan (37%), but also Syria, Haiti, Venezuela, Ethiopia, the Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan and the northern part of Nigeria. Focus to South Soudan.
Situation in South Soudan
Origin of Hunger in South Soudan
Following a presidential crisis in 2013, South Sudan erupted in a conflict that swept over most of the country and killed tens of thousands of people. More than 4 million people - were driven from their homes by the violence of this war, of which 2.5 million fled to neighboring countries. There are currently one million South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, who represent half of the refugee population in the country.The majority are women and children. Despite a ceasefire and a power-sharing agreement since February 2020, insecurity and armed clashes continue in some areas.
The main causes of this hunger in South Sudan
The civil war
In Upper Nile State, near the border with Sudan, civil war has displaced many people from large cities to camps, as well as host communities. People have seen their homes and cattle burn down and have taken refuge in other states with nothing. Food and nutrition insecurity has contributed to the increase in mortality rates due to the limited level of services.
The problems of exodus
In the state of western Bahr el Ghazal, camps are clustered in towns, along roads and in remote areas. Since 2016, the armed conflict between the opposition and government forces has resulted in massive population displacements in camps for internally displaced persons. Most of the population flee to very remote places where access is very limited for helpers. The population is always under pressure from new conflicts, which is why they are moving away from big cities.
Increasing variability of precipitation
The states of Jonglei and Ouarrap are heavily affected by rainfall and undergo a lot of climate change from more ethnic conflicts. During the rainy season, floods, food shortages and disease made the situation even worse. Clean water has disappeared in some accounts in this region and the infrastructure that houses food has been totally destroyed by the floods. The transport of humanitarian aid is very complicated because of slippery roads.Diseases like cholera, diarrhea and covid have also affected the inhabitants of this region.
The solutions proposed in South Sudan to this situation
Bring peace to this region.the desire for peace is palpable for the inhabitants of this region because it is the source of most of the problem, especially peace.
Bring lots of help with food and drinking water
Sensitize many volunteers to help in South Sudan especially doctors and engineers.
Help farmers and ranchers to find by donating fishing kit or planting seeds
Situation in Yemen
Yemen is a country in Westen Asia. There is a civil war since september 2014 and and for this reason since 2016 a famine has been on goin there.The current war in Yemen was initially a tribal and confessional conflict internal to this young country, created in 1990. But now, the stake is regional and involves two neighboring powers: Saudi Arabia and Iran. In the middle, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula serves as a battleground and the population sinks into violence, hunger and disease, especially cholera. With more than 10,000 killed since 2015, more than 60,000 injured and already 3.4 million displaced, according to a partial assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO). 16 million Yemenis are food insecure. After years of conflict, only half of the health facilities remain, the country is not ready for a second wave of covid. 80% of internally displaced people are women and children. 7.4 million children are affected by conflict. Every 10 minutes 1 child under 5 dies from preventable diseases.
Hunger in Yemen
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is the most serious and complex the world has ever known. More than 24 million are in need of food aid.The conflict has caused the displacement of 3 million people inside the country and creating a situation of famine that the country has never known. In 2020, 12 million Yemeni children need humanitarian assistance to survive. Each of them is therefore a witness or victim of serious violence, or in an extremely precarious situation. They will retain traumatic after-effects throughout their lives. Food shortages, diseases, displacement of people, and the inability to access essential services are the daily lot of Yemenis.
What we can do in Yemen for helping?