Sudan soldeirs
According to the UN, over 60,000 people in South Sudan are starving for food as assistance delivery is halted due to fuel shortages. The stoppage in food distribution was caused by a lack of fuel at the UN.
This occurred after the government imposed levies on commodities brought in by UN agencies and other international organizations.
Since February, the South Sudanese government has implemented new taxes and fees both at the border and within the country. Last week, they assured the UN that they would not charge their goods, but nothing has changed.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) cautions that if the government does not abolish these tariffs by the end of May, 145,000 people will be affected.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho, has urgently requested that the government abolish these fees. She reminded them of their pledge to help people in need.
“We need the government to act quickly to prevent aid operations from stopping,” she went on to say.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 9 million people in South Sudan will require assistance. This year’s lean season may leave approximately 7.1 million people hungry.
Also Read: South Sudan Closes Schools Due to Searing Heat Wave
