February 5, 2012

South Sudan: Migration threatens food supply

Many families from Sudan are expected migrate to South Sudan before the border between the countries is secured. A mass migration will further strain an already limited food supply in South Sudan.

By James Addis, with reporting and photo by Michael Arunga

In South Sudan, a country already struggling to find enough food to feed its current population, an influx of Sudanese from the north threatens to further strain the country's limited food resources.

Food shortage expected

The looming end of free border access to South Sudan from Sudan to it's north is expected to spark a sudden mass movement of people. 

Tito Awando, the United Nations team leader for Upper Nile State, says Sudanese currently living in the north, but having roots in the south, will likely try to move to South Sudan before the imposition of international travel requirements in early April.

The securing of the border is a result of South Sudan's secession from Sudan in July of 2011, after decades of civil war between the north and south. 

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network report estimates that between 2.5 and 3 million people in South Sudan could face food shortages this year.      

World Vision's response

Key areas of concern are Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states where World Vision already operates. 

World Vision will scale up emergency relief efforts including the delivery of food, provision of healthcare, and improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure for 300,000 people.

How you can help

Pray for families in Sudan and South Sudan. Pray for safe reunions between families and for adequate food resources. Pray for organizations, like World Vision, seeking to serve these communities.

Make a donation to help provide food, clean water, health care, emergency relief, and more to nearly 1.5 million people in Sudan and South Sudan.