S Sudan leaders urged to act quickly to avert famine

Children run to a food drop-off point in Leer, South Sudan. Us Secretary of State John Kerry has called for an immediate end to the South Sudan conflict saying it had triggered the famine situation currently being experienced. PHOTO | AFP | NICHOLE SOBECKI

By  KEVIN J. KELLEY

What you need to know:

  • He said the current situation in the country was not as a result of natural calamities.
  • The situation is caused by the ongoing conflict in the country.
  • Mr Kerry warned that unless the conflicts stops immediately the famine situation may reach more catastrophic levels.
  • He said President Kiir and rebel leader Machar shared the responsibility for triggering the current crisis.

New York

A top US diplomat has asked South Sudan leaders to act quickly to avert a looming famine crisis.

Secretary of State John Kerry Friday said the current situation in the country was not as a result of natural calamities but rather due to ongoing conflict.

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“It is a calamity created by conflict,” Mr Kerry said.

Nearly four million South Sudanese are currently faced with starvation.

Mr Kerry warned that unless the seven months of violence are ended at once the famine situation may reach more catastrophic levels.

His demand for an immediate ceasefire came as the United Nations Security Council urged global action in response to what it described as the catastrophic food situation in South Sudan that is currently the worst in the world.

SHARED RESPONSIBILTY

Mr Kerry said that President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar shared the responsibility for triggering the current crisis.

Both shared the responsibility for ending the crisis, he added.

The US has provided some $456 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan in 2014, Mr Kerry noted, and urged other countries to make additional contributions.

Wealthy countries pledged a total of USD618 million in aid to South Sudan at a conference in Norway in May 2014.

The UN Security Council on Friday called for donors to swiftly fulfill their pledges and to increase their commitments.

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