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Extremely high acute malnutrition levels underscore the risk of Famine in Upper Nile State

Aug 5th, 2025
New field assessment data collected in June and July affirm prior warnings of the risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) in Luakpiny/Nasir (Nasir) and Ulang counties in Upper Nile State, South Sudan, as issued by the IPC and FEWS NET in June. Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) outcomes are already ongoing in Nasir and Ulang, and extremely high levels of hunger, malnutrition, and mortality will likely persist until at least the end of the lean season in October, when the rainy season ends and the harvest begins. Global acute malnutrition rates (GAM) among children under five have reached 25.4 and 23.4 percent, respectively, based on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements collected in areas accessible to humanitarians. 23 and 11 percent of households, respectively, are experiencing extreme hunger indicative of a ≥50 percent food consumption deficit based on Household Hunger Score (HHS). Conflict between national army and local militia forces, a severe cholera outbreak, and starvation have also resulted in household reports of atypically high mortality, though trauma deaths remain the highest driver. These data suggest the food consumption and acute malnutrition thresholds for Famine (IPC Phase 5) may have been passed in Nasir; however, non-trauma mortality remains relatively low. Conditions in inaccessible areas are largely unknown, but it is likely that the severity of acute food insecurity is similar to or worse than that observed in accessible areas.

South Sudan: Acute Food Insecurity Situation Projection Update for April - July 2025

Jun 12th, 2025
The impact of conflict and civil insecurity is deepening food insecurity in South Sudan, with over half of the population (about 7.7 million people or 57 percent of the analysed population) experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity IPC AFI Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) between April and July 2025. Among them, 83,000 people are experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, classified in IPC AFI Phase 5 (Catastrophe), particularly in Pibor County (Greater Pibor Administrative Area), and the counties of Luakpiny/Nasir, Ulang, and Malakal in Upper Nile State. Among them are 39,000 returnees who fled the conflict in Sudan and are currently classified in IPC AFI Phase 5.
In Luakpiny/Nasir and Ulang, which face a risk of Famine under a worst-case scenario, urgent and immediate action is needed for these populations, including large-scale and multi-sectoral response and the protection of humanitarian access to prevent the total collapse of livelihoods, increased starvation, death and possible deterioration into a full-blown Famine.
In addition, around 2.4 million people (18 percent of the analysed population) are in IPC AFI Phase 4 (Emergency) and nearly 5.2 million people (38 percent of the analysed population) are in IPC AFI Phase 3 (Crisis). These populations require urgent humanitarian response to meet food needs, protect lives and livelihoods, and reduce further deterioration.

Millions Face Rising Acute Food Insecurity, According to New FAO-WFP Report

Millions of people across 22 countries and territories may be pushed into acute food insecurity by May 2025, according to the latest FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots Report. Ongoing and increasing conflict in many areas of the world, along with economic hardships and extreme weather caused by climate change and the La Niña phenomenon, are behind this significant increase in both the magnitude and the severity of acute food insecurity.

From Famine to Food Security

Food crisis and famines continue to plague many developing countries. Armed conflict and prolonged drought have left around 20 million people at a risk of starvation and death in Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and Nigeria, while several other African nations also currently face with food insecurity, largely as a result of climate-driven weather events. An estimated $4.4 billion in aid is needed to address these crises.

Latest FEWS Net Monthly Price Watch Released

The newest edition of the FEWS Net Monthly Price Watch was released last week, citing continuing high international maize and wheat prices. While maize prices saw drastic spikes in June and July 2012 due to drought conditions in the US, they leveled off, although at high levels, later in the year as more information regarding US crop conditions and global supplies became available. Wheat prices, on the other hand, rose steadily between May and November before leveling out in December.

FEWS NET Releases Latest Monthly Price Watch

FEWS NET has released its monthly price watch for February 2012. The report cites stable and declining grain prices in much of West and East Africa, although prices remain high in the Sahel region and Kenya. In particular, grain prices in South Sudan remain very high due to poor production and trade; similarly, maize prices in Malawi continue to increase rapidly. Afghanistan and Tajikistan continue to see high wheat and wheat flour prices.

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FEWS NET Releases Latest Global Price Watch

FEWS NET has released its Global Price Watch for September 2011, citing continuing high prices in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Africa's newest nation, South Sudan, is also facing increased prices on some staple goods due to conflict and trade restrictions. Global rice prices saw a moderate upswing, due in part to Thailand's new rice price subsidy.

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