China ‘concerned’ over South Sudan humanitarian crisis as UN agency warns of famine

JUBA – The Chinese ambassador to South Sudan Hua Ning has expressed his country’s concerns over humanitarian crisis in the world’s youngest country after United Nations agencies warned of famine that put around 8.3 million of South Sudan’s 12 million population at risk of starvation.

“China is very concerned about the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, including the malnutrition situation of the children,” he said during a handing over of 14,056 therapeutic food to the UNICEF South Sudan in Juba on Monday.

The Chinese envoy said his country is working closely with UNICEF and other UN agencies in addressing issues of food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan.

“We hope today’s donation will help to meet the dire needs of the children and their families, and that the continuous peace progress will ease the suffering of the South Sudanese people,” he said.

UNICEF has estimated that around 313,000 children in the world’s youngest country will suffer severe acute malnutrition during the course of 2021.

It estimated 7.2 million people will be in urgent need of food assistance between April and July, affecting children the hardest.

For his part, UNICEF representative to South Sudan, Andrea Suley said: “The RUTF from China will save lives and give children in need a second chance. For that we are grateful. “Yet, no child should have to suffer from malnutrition in the first place and we need to increase the focus on prevention.”