Some maize fields in Pulpam and Chotbora of Fangak in Jonglei are already submerged by floodwaters linked to rising river water levels. Furthermore, although the start of season has been characterized by deficits, weather forecasts indicate above-average rainfall is likely in August through October, which will drive a fourth consecutive year of flooding. Overall, the area planted this year is lower than last year due in large part to residual floodwaters, which remain atypically high. As a result, vegetation conditions are below-average in localized areas and available field information indicates that the prolonged dry spell resulted in the re-planting of crops in Fashoda, mild incidences of Fall Army Worm (FAW) and caterpillar outbreaks in Ikwoto and Lopit, and severe crop damage by millipedes in Aweil North and Aweil East. In most parts of Magwi and western Torit of Eastern Equatoria, first season harvests are poor and lower than last year.Īcross much of northern South Sudan, except for Upper Nile and Western and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, the June to September main rainy season is characterized by widespread moisture deficits and abnormal dryness through late July. However, it is estimated that upwards of three-quarters of first season maize crops in Greater Equatoria are still in the reproductive and grain-filling stages. According to key informants and FEWS NET’s field monitoring, households in Yambio of Western Equatoria Obbo and Lobone of Magwi of Eastern Equatoria and Yei of Central Equatoria have already harvested maize and groundnuts. In bimodal southern South Sudan, the below average performance of March to May rainfall has resulted in significant moisture deficits and led to an overall poor and delayed first season harvest, with crop stage varying by region. Further disruptions to trade flows and livelihood activities also occurred between Juba and Mayom of Unity State via Warrap State, after armed clashes between SSPDF and South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A) at the end of July led to the death of over 60 people, mostly soldiers. Similarly, in late June to early July, trade flow and household movement between Juba and Nimule was disrupted following the killing of the Nimule local chief. Also, as a result of the insecurity, food assistance delivery in Tonj North remains suspended or slowed.Įastern and Central Equatoria has seen increasing conflict and cattle raids, particularly in Kapoeta North where over 15,000 heads of cattle were looted and 235 killed in one cattle raid on July 8. In late June, fighting between armed youth and SSPDF disarmament forces in Rualbet Payam of Tonj North led to 450 deaths and the looting of over 150,000 livestock, displacement of 6,000 households, and disruption to trade flows. Since 2021, Greater Tonj of Warrap has remained an epicenter of armed inter-communal conflict and violence between the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) and rival youth groups. FEWS NET also assesses that it is now likely that some populations are in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) in Tonj North of Warrap due to escalation of conflict that has driven displacement and restricted household movement and assistance delivery.Ĭonflict and insecurity remain widespread in South Sudan, disrupting livelihoods, displacing households, causing the loss of livestock, and impeding trade flows, market functioning, and delivery of food assistance. The areas of most extreme concern include Fangak, Canal/Pigi, and Ayod of Jonglei Leer and Mayendit of Unity and Tonj East of Warrap, where some populations are likely in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) due to the impacts of conflict and flooding on typical food sources such as crops and livestock. However, many households still face large food consumption gaps indicative of Emergency (IPC Phase 4) or worse outcomes. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are widespread, and humanitarian food assistance is preventing more extreme outcomes across much of Greater Upper Nile and parts of Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions. The scale and severity of acute food insecurity are extremely high in South Sudan during the peak of the 2022 lean season, with an estimated 7-8 million people in need of urgent food assistance.
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