A United Nations report is warning of escalating acute hunger crisis in Mali and South Sudan, with the situation reported to be worsening with each passing day.
The two countries are both classified among the region’s most vulnerable to famine globally.
According to the United Nations (UN) report, titled ‘Hunger Hotspots,’ armed conflicts, economic instability and the effects of climate change are pushing millions of people in Mali and South Sudan toward unprecedented levels of food insecurity.
The report was prepared in collaboration between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The UN report classified both countries as areas requiring the ‘highest level of concern,’ with warnings that their populations face the risk of famine or catastrophic conditions due to ongoing conflicts.
According to the United Nations’ standards, famine is officially declared when at least 20 percent of a region’s population suffers from severe food shortages and 30 percent of children face acute malnutrition.
It also takes into consideration the data indicating two deaths per 10,000 people that could be occurring daily due to hunger or related diseases.
South Sudan: Floods and Instability Threaten 7.7 million People
South Sudan, a country which is grappling with floods and political instability, the number of affected people could be more than 7.7 million, including the 63,000 victims that are already experiencing conditions classified as ‘acute famine.’
Mali: Conflict Drives Up Food Prices and Worsens Shortages
Meanwhile, in Mali, where internal conflicts persist, escalating violence has led to a sharp rise in grain prices and agricultural shortages, putting the lives of 2,600 people at risk of starvation.
The report confirms that despite their geographical distance, both countries face similar challenges, most notably isolation from seaports and their reliance on urgent humanitarian aid to save lives.