4.15 MB - Food Security Clusters

South Sudan: How a new country can feed its peopleEffects of conflictConflict disrupts all aspects of the ruraleconomy and affects everyone,irrespective of their socio-economicstatus. Its multi-dimensional effect onlivelihoods and food security cannot be overemphasized:• People displaced to other areas by conflictcannot cultivate their crops or carry outtheir normal work• Seasonal cultivation is disrupted as fear ofattacks prevent farmers from tending orinvesting in crops• Fear restricts the mobility of people,preventing them from accessing healthcentres, schools, food markets etc. Besides,such institutions cannot function properlyor at all• Loss of livestock, destruction of homes andassets plunge people into greater poverty• Fear limits food supply by disruptingseasonal activities such as gathering desertdates and other wild food, fishing, huntingor bartering of livestock for sorghum ormaize by travelling herdsmen• Fear impedes access to potable water• Lack of access to healthcare, safe drinkingwater and food fuels disease outbreaks andmalnutrition• Trade routes are disrupted, promptinggreater food scarcity and market price rises• Humanitarian access is blocked• Opportunities for private sectorentrepreneurs to operate and contribute tooverall economic development areminimized• In general conflict-prone areas remain themost physically inaccessible, which has aknock-on-effect on food prices, health andeducation accessMap 5.1 – Geographic distribution of conflict (2009-2011)Source: UNDSS Security Incident database33