icon icon icon icon icon icon icon

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Woman receives seeds to plant after being displaced by South Sudan conflict. PHOTO:  Josh Estey/CARE
Woman receives seeds to plant after being displaced by South Sudan conflict. PHOTO:  Josh Estey/CARE

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this month

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)–CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall into famine early next year if the nine-month long conflict escalates as expected. 

The agencies fear that efforts this year to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides are regrouping ready to resume violence once the rainy season ends this month. The number of people facing dangerous levels of hunger is expected to increase by 1 million between January and March next year.

In a report launched today, “From Crisis to Catastrophe”, the aid agencies called for neighboring governments and the wider international community to redouble diplomatic efforts to put real pressure on the parties to the conflict to end the fighting, including an arms embargo. They said so far the international community’s ‘softly-softly’ approach to the peace talks has failed to secure a meaningful cease-fire.

They also added that there needs to be an increase in both the quantity and quality of the aid effort.

Man-made crisis

Tariq Reibl head of Oxfam’s programme in South Sudan said: “If famine comes to South Sudan it will come through the barrel of a gun. This is a man-made crisis not one caused by the vagaries of the weather and though humanitarian aid is vital it cannot fix a political problem. The international community is much better at saving lives than it is at helping solve the political problems that put lives in peril. Nine months of the softly-softly approach to peace negotiations has failed. If the international community really wants to avert a famine then it has to make bold diplomatic efforts to bring both sides to end the fighting.”

The aid agencies said that a mixture of significant aid, a lull in the fighting due to the wet season and the ability of the South Sudanese to cope with hardship, has managed to stave off a famine for the moment. However they warned that now that the wet season is over, an upsurge in fighting is likely, setting back any gains made in the last few months and potentially pushing areas into famine by March 2015.

Since the current round of conflict began in South Sudan in December 2013, the country has been pushed to the brink of disaster. However the international aid effort has saved thousands of lives, much of it generously funded by the US, the UK and the EU who have given 60 per cent of the total funding. The UN Mission in South Sudan has opened its compounds to around 100,000 civilians, saving them from ethnic violence, and peace negotiations led by South Sudan’s neighbors have come close to brokering a deal.

Looking back over 2014, Aimee Ansari, CARE’s Country Director in South Sudan said: “South Sudan only just missed falling into famine this year. Partly this was due to the aid effort but much of it is due to the strength, resilience and generosity of the South Sudanese people themselves.

“But they are now at the end of their tether. You can only sell all your livestock once. Eating seeds meant for planning keeps the gnawing hunger away for the moment, but it is mortgaging the future to meet the desperate needs of the present. The people of South Sudan did what they could to survive this year – but that means they will be vulnerable next year. They need to see an end to the fighting so normal life can resume.”

Many of the 1.4 million people displaced from their homes are facing an uncertain future. The fighting has disrupted markets and pushed up food prices. Fishermen have been barred from rivers, cattle herders have had their cattle stolen, or been forced to sell them off cheaply. The expected upsurge in fighting once the rains have ended in October will tip many over the edge.

More funds are needed

The aid agencies called for donor governments to fully support the UN’s appeals for humanitarian work in South Sudan and the refugee crisis in neighboring countries. They also said that the quality of aid needs to be improved. It needs to be delivered where people are rather than where it is easier to reach. And it needs to build on the way people cope with the crisis and to enable them to face any future crisis better prepared.

The aid agencies also called on all the government of South Sudan, the opposition and other armed groups to immediately stop fighting and work towards a long-term, sustainable peace deal. All their forces need to stop attacks against civilians, end the use of child soldiers and allow humanitarian workers safe access to people needing their help.

About CARE in South Sudan:

CARE has been operating in Southern Sudan since 1993, initially providing humanitarian relief to internally displaced people in Western Equatoria. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 allowed CARE to expand into Jonglei and Upper Nile States to support returnees from the refugee camps, and the organization has since broadened its operations to include development programs.

With the outbreak of violence in December 2013, CARE is providing emergency water, sanitation, hygiene services and education, in addition to nutrition and livelihoods assistance. CARE also supports over 40 health facilities in Unity and Upper Nile States, two of the states most heavily affected by fighting.

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. To learn more, visit www.care.org

Media contact:  Holly Frew  +1.770.842.6188  hfrew@care.org

Resources

Cash and Voucher Assistance During COVID-19

Guidelines and a tip sheet for adapting cash and voucher programming during COVID-19.

Read More

From Cholera to COVID: Applying Lessons Learned

Lessons learned and program recommendations for COVID based on CARE's learning from previous epidemics.

Read More

Working with Savings Groups During COVID 19 (French)

Un outil de CARE sur comment travailler avec les groupements d'epargne et credit dans le context de COVID 19

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE Cash and Voucher Playbook

A substantial body of evidence shows that giving vulnerable people money instead of in kind assistance allows them to meet a variety of needs while making aid budgets go further.

Read More

Doing Nexus Differently

How can Humanitarian and Development Actors link or integrate humanitarian action, development, and peace?

Read More

Typhoon Haiyan Resconstruction: Results So Far

4 page summary highlighting results so far from the Typhoon Haiyan Reconstruction Project, funded through Global Affairs Canada

Read More

Helsinki Report Stand and Deliver digital

On 4 February 2016, the international community agreed on a ‘comprehensive new approach’ to address the protracted Syria crisis at the “Supporting Syria and the Region” Conference in London. Donors, and neighboring countries, which host the vast majority of those who have fed Syria, committed to significant financial pledges and policy changes to improve the lives of refugees and host communities. As the one-year mark of the conference approaches, 3 NGO platforms and 28 organizations have reviewed whether donors and host governments have fulfilled their commitments, and whether their actions have led to an improvement in the situation for refugees and host communities in the region.

Read More

Suffering in Silence: 2016

In 2016, we saw numerous news-breaking humanitarian crises. Yet these headlines were just the tip of an ever-growing humanitarian iceberg. Underneath these more visible crises lay many more that never made it into the news. This report highlights where the global community must step up action to bring an end to human suffering and promote a world of peace and social justice.

Read More

SOUTH SUDAN Emergency Factsheet January 2016

Read More

CARE Impact Syria Crisis March 2016

Read More

CARE Syria Crisis Fact Sheet March 2016

Read More

CARE On Her Own refugee media report Sept 2016

Read More

Yemen Factsheet (March 2016)

A one-page factsheet showing the humanitarian needs of Yemen and how CARE is responding as of March 2016.

Read More

Women, Work, and War: Research Study

Five years of war and displacement have triggered fundamental shifts in gender roles and responsibilities, both in Syria and in neighboring countries. In Syria before the crisis, women’s economic participation was relatively low at 22 percent in 2010, with some legal barriers but mainly sociocultural norms and practice limiting women’s roles and responsibilities inside and outside the house. As a result of the upheaval, however, Syrian women and men feel that their roles and responsibilities have been reversed: while women increasingly participate in decision-making on income and expenses and assume responsibilities outside the home, men have lost their traditional role as the sole breadwinner and decision-maker.

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

The Forgotten South Executive Summary: Food Security and Livelihoods in Southern Syria

This executive summary analyzes the current economic and livelihoods challenges in conflict-affected communities in Southern Sudan.

Read More

The Forgotten South Executive Summary: Food Security and Livelihoods in Southern Syria

This executive summary analyzes the current economic and livelihoods challenges in conflict-affected communities in Southern Sudan.

Read More

REACH-S Project

Eliminating the immediate suffering of Internally Displaced Persons in host communities

Read More

SHOUHARDO II

Innovative USAID-funded program that links food aid with building long-term food and nutrition security 

Read More

Multi-Sectoral Assistance for Populations in Crisis (MAP)

Providing a means for survival for IDPs experiencing economic and humanitarian uncertainty 

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Paper: “Our small peace cannot survive alone”

Lessons in peacebuilding and economic development in South Sudan. 

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Emergencies: CARE In Action

Read More

Six Months Later: CARE’s Nepal Earthquake Response

A two-page report about CARE's response to the deadly earthquakes in Nepal in 2015.

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Nepal Earthquake: Factsheet

As of July 2015

Read More

Factsheet: Nepal Earthquakes

Read More

Nepal: Rapid Gender Analysis Overview

Read More

Charting a New Course: Overcoming the Stalemate in Gaza

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Factsheet: Floods in Southern Africa

Read More

Haiti Earthquake: Progress Report, 2010-2015

Read More

Impact Update: Five Years After the Haiti Earthquake

Read More

Factsheet: CARE’s Response to the 2004 Tsunami

Read More

Haiti Earthquake: Five-year Progress Report

Over the last five years, CARE has transitioned from post-earthquake emergency relief into programming aimed at addressing the underlying causes of poverty that increase vulnerability to disaster. Our efforts have focused on sustainable economic development, rebuilding of the urban fabric, improved education, and food security.

Read More

Learning from Crisis: Strengthening Humanitarian Response Since the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

Read More

Five Years After The Haiti Earthquake:

Building Back Safer, Stronger - A Financial Update

Read More

Haiti Earthquake: 5 Year Donor Report

Haiti Earthquake Emergency Response Fund - January 2010 – December 2014

Read More

CRITICAL DIAGNOSIS

The Case for Placing South Sudan’s Healthcare System at the Heart of the Humanitarian Response

Read More

One Year Later: Typhoon Haiyan Emergency and Recovery Response

One year later, CARE continues to reach needy families and communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Read More

One Year After Typhoon Haiyan

From Emergency Aid to "Build Back Safer"

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Fact Sheet:Syria Crisis: CARE’s response in Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt

June 2012 through March 2014

Read More

‘THE GIRL HAS NO RIGHTS’

This 12 page report on Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan, from May 2014, provides the results of interviews and research CARE is...

Read More

The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

Read More

South Sudan Crisis Factsheet April 2014

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Lives Unseen: Urban Syrian Refugees and Jordanian Host Communities Three Years into the Syria Crisis

Urban Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities three years into the Syria Crisis

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Reaching Resilience Handbook

A handbook for aid practitioners and policymakers in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and poverty reduction

Read More

Three Months After the Storm

Update on CARE's Response to Typhoon Haiyan

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

White Paper on Food Aid Policy (2006)

This paper briefly summarizes our analyses, options, and directions on food resources and spending on food aid. 

Read More

South Sudan Humanitarian Snapshot

January 4, 2014

Read More

South Sudan Crisis Response Plan

January to March 2014

Read More

South Sudan Crisis

Situation Report as of January 4, 2014

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis: Raising the Profile of Women and Girls

We call on donor governments to address the specific needs of women and girls affected by the crisis in Syria.

Read More

Humanitarian Action at CARE USA: Capacity Statement

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Roadmap for Continued U.S. Leadership to End Global Hunger

Read More

Sex and Age Matter: Improving Humanitarian Response in Emergencies

Read More

Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Syria: Humanitarian Snapshot

As of 17 September 2013

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

Haiti Earthquake: Three Year Report

Three years after the worst earthquake in Haiti’s history, the massive task of recovery and reconstruction continues.

Read More

CARE joins aid agencies warning of famine in South Sudan as upsurge in fighting imminent

Agencies fear that efforts to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides regroup to resume violence once the rainy season ends this monthJuba, SOUTH SUDAN – (October 6, 2014)--CARE has joined other leading aid agencies in warning that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worst food crisis – could fall

Read More

CARE Haiti: Governance

CARE Haiti places strong emphasis on developing the principles of good governance in all its program sectors.

Read More
Back to Top