The results of the food insecurity analysis using the IPC version 2.0 conducted in April 2012 in Juba revealed that the food insecurity situation in the Republic of South Sudan is slightly lower than normal for this time of the year with pockets that are worse than others. Eight states covered by iron stone plateau, pastoral, eastern flood plains, western flood plains and Nile Sobat corridor livelihood zones are in crisis (IPC phase 3) with about 24% of the population affected. The areas along the border with Sudan are in emergency (IPC Phase 4) totaling to about 10% of the population. The situation would have been worse without humanitarian intervention in the three livelihood zones of Western flood plains, Eastern flood plains and the Pastoral zone. The major drivers contributing to the current food insecurity situation are: Unfavorable terms of trade (ToT) for livestock owners as the population relied more on market during the lean season, Ongoing conflict at the border causing displacements, High prices due to devaluation of the SSP, Blockage of the Sudan border, Insecurity due to cattle rustling and influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan.
The remaining three states of Western, Central and Eastern Equatoria with a portion of Jonglei state are covered with green belt and hills and mountains. These livelihood zones are in stress (IPC Phase 2) and the food security situation in these zones is better compared to those in the seven livelihoods zones mentioned. There is however some factors blamed for the food insecurity situation in these zones that are the usual bread basket for South Sudan and these include: High food and fuel prices due to devaluation of the SSP, Poor access to safe water affecting food utilization and hygiene practices and high HIV-AIDS prevalence and significant post harvest loses.
The projected trend of the food insecurity situation in the Republic of South Sudan based on assumptions of most likely scenarios is expected to deteriorate along the borders with the areas under emergency widening. In particular most of Eastern flood plains are forecasted to fall in IPC Phase 4 (emergency) with pockets in iron stone plateau, western flood plains and Nile Sobat corridor with about 17% (1.9 Million) of the population will likely be affected. The rest of the 2/3 of the country will remain in IPC Phase 3 (crisis) totaling to 23% (2.5 Million). While the green belt and hills and mountains livelihood zones will remain in IPC Phase 2 (stressed).
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