UN aid chief warns South Sudan on brink of full‑scale famine

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the Security Council on April 18 that South Sudan faces imminent full‑scale famine and possible collapse.

The warning matters because a famine of this magnitude could push millions into starvation, strain neighboring economies, and spark further displacement across the region.

Fletcher said the risk stems from intensifying armed fighting between rival factions, a surge in displaced populations, and climate‑related shocks that have eroded harvests.

"South Sudan is at risk of slipping into full‑scale famine and collapse," Fletcher said.

Hundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable areas, including South Sudan, face severe food crises ^[1].

The UN has called on donor nations to increase assistance, expand nutrition programs, and protect civilians as fighting intensifies.

Fletcher said that without swift international action, the country could transition from emergency to catastrophic famine, undermining years of peace‑building efforts.

The conflict, which erupted in 2013 and has flared repeatedly, has disrupted markets, destroyed crops, and limited access for aid agencies.

Climate experts warn that recurrent droughts and flooding have reduced arable land, compounding food insecurity across the country.

Humanitarian groups said that aid deliveries are hampered by road blockages and insecurity, leaving many communities cut off from life‑saving supplies.

"Hunger is tightening its grip amid rising humanitarian needs and intensifying fighting," Fletcher said.

Fletcher said the Security Council should consider a targeted sanctions regime against individuals who obstruct aid and should prioritize funding for rapid‑response nutrition interventions.

He said that neighboring countries, already strained by refugee flows, could face secondary crises if the famine materializes.

"We are seeing the risk of a full‑scale famine in South Sudan," Fletcher said.

The UN will convene a high‑level briefing next week to assess the situation and mobilize additional resources.

Children under five are especially vulnerable, with many suffering from acute malnutrition that can lead to death within weeks if not treated.

Local NGOs are coordinating with UN agencies to establish feeding centers, but limited fuel and security constraints hinder their operations.

International donors have pledged support in the past, yet funding gaps remain, prompting calls for a coordinated global response.

The warning follows a pattern of escalating alerts, as the UN previously flagged a looming food crisis in 2024, underscoring the chronic nature of the problem.

Fletcher said the need for safe corridors to allow humanitarian convoys to reach remote areas that have been cut off for months.

He said that if the famine materializes, it could reverse years of development gains, leading to long‑term economic decline and social instability.

The Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution authorizing additional funding and urging all parties to respect humanitarian principles.