Despite significant deployment of humanitarian assistance, between February and March 2022, an estimated 6.83 million people (55% of the population) faced high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), of which 2.37 million people faced Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4). An estimated 55,000 people were classified in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) in Fangak, Canal Pigi and Uror counties in Jonglei State; Pibor County in Greater Pibor Administration Area; Tambura County in Western Equatoria State; and Leer and Mayendit counties in Unity State. The most food insecure states between February and March 2022 where more than 50% of their populations faced IPC Phase 3 or above acute food insecurity are Jonglei (72.4%), Unity (67.6%), Warrap (62.9%), Northern Bahr el Ghazal (56.8%), Upper Nile (54.2%) and Lakes (52.0%).

In the lean season projection period of April to July 2022, an estimated 7.74 million people (62.7% of the population) will likely face high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), with 87,000 people likely to be in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) in Fangak, Canal/Pigi and Ayod counties in Jonglei State; Pibor County in Greater Pibor Administrative Area; Cueibet and Rumbek North counties in Lakes State; and Leer and Mayendit counties in Unity State. During this period, an estimated 2.9 million people are likely to face Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4).

Given the high levels of acute food insecurity in the country, immediate scale-up of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance is needed to save lives and prevent the total collapse of livelihoods in the affected counties, particularly those with a high share of populations in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4). Urgent action is also required for populations in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) to protect their livelihoods and reduce household-level food consumption gaps.

Between February and March 2022, 36 counties across the country were classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 40 counties in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), with only two counties classified in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity. In the projection period of April to July 2022, 52 counties are classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), 23 counties in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), and three counties in Stressed acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 2).

Food insecurity in South Sudan is driven by climatic shocks (floods, dry spells, and droughts), insecurity (caused by sub-national and localized violence), population displacements, persistent annual cereal deficits, diseases and pests, the economic crisis, the effects of COVID-19, limited access to basic services, and the cumulative effects of prolonged years of asset depletion that continue to erode households’ coping capacities, and the loss of livelihoods.

• Humanitarian Food Assistance 
  Humanitarian food assistance must be scaled up immediately to save lives and prevent a total collapse of livelihoods in locations where populations were classified in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity.
• Livelihood Support
  Considering the diminished resilience of people, the high level of vulnerability to shocks, and the chronic nature of food insecurity and malnutrition, close collaboration between humanitarian & development programmes are needed to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition and enhance resilience.
• Treatment
  While ensuring universal treatment for acute malnutrition is a priority, attention must also be given to addressing the identified major contributing factors to prevent acute malnutrition in the future. Continued scale-up of treatment of acute malnutrition targeting the current and future caseload is a high priority. Further expansion of services to previously insecure areas for severe and moderate acute malnutrition treatment is also essential to reach the previously less accessible areas.
• Collection and Analysis of Mortality Data
  Partners should collect food security, nutrition, and mortality data in the most affected locations to verify these areas’ food security and nutrition situation for timely and appropriate response.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis was integrated with an IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis. Click here to access Acute Malnutrition maps.

In 2022, around 1.34 million children under five years are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition based on the results of the SMART nutrition surveys, Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring System (FSNMS), and program admission trends. The highest burden is from Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Western Bahr el Ghazal States (concentrating 60% of the burden in four states for 2022). Between February and March 2022, a total of 49 (63%) counties were classified in Serious (IPC AMN Phase 3) and Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) acute malnutrition situations. Out of this, 23 counties were classified in a Critical situation.

The major factors contributing to acute malnutrition include high prevalence of diseases and inadequate feeding practices of infant and young children. Elevated levels of food insecurity (IPC Acute Food Insecurity Phase 3 or above) in most counties also contribute to acute malnutrition.