According to UN-backed hunger experts, more than half the population – or around 7.56 million people – will face “crisis or even more severe levels of hunger” between April and July 2026, the lean season.
In addition, more than two million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition during the same period, the United Nations World Food Program has warned (PAM).
The UN agency said food insecurity is “widespread and worsening” in parts of South Sudan.
Constant warnings
“We have consistently warned of the serious food and nutrition crisis that the country continues to face,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said during Wednesday’s daily press briefing in New York.
Fears are greatest for the 28,000 people living in Luakpiny/Nasir and Fangak counties, where hunger levels are described as catastrophic, in the latest report from UN-backed international food security experts the IPC – recognized as the most authoritative source for monitoring extreme hunger and famine around the world.
They point out that southern parts of Luakpiny/Nasir County are at risk of famine if conflict persists and access restrictions remain, due to flooding and disease outbreaks.
Ending hunger depends on cultivating South Sudan’s fields and reopening markets, UN agencies say.
Be prepared for tsunamis: investing in preparedness to save lives
Over the past 100 years, tsunamis have claimed more than 260,000 lives – an average of 4,600 per disaster – more deaths than any other natural hazard, according to the United Nations disaster risk reduction agency (UNDRR) said Wednesday.
In line with efforts to reduce disaster losses and build resilience to protect lives, livelihoods and economies from the devastating effects of tsunamis, the theme of this year’s edition World Tsunami Awareness Day is Be Tsunami Prepared: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness.
Tsunamis are rare but highly destructive, posing an existential threat wherever the monster wave phenomenon occurs. “Let us commit to building on the progress we have made and investing the funds needed to improve tsunami preparedness and resilience for all,” said UNDRR Chief Kamal Kashore.
Tsunamis disrupt livelihoods, industries, agriculture and essential services such as education and healthcare.
Early warnings save lives
The recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia on July 30, 2025 clearly demonstrates why early warnings are essential.
Rapid action then allowed communities to evacuate in time, preventing large-scale loss of life.
Rapid urbanization and tourism development in tsunami-prone regions are putting more people at risk – making risk reduction a key factor if the world is to achieve substantial reductions in disaster-related mortality.
“With rising sea levels and more people living near coasts, early warning systems require investment and improvement,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in today’s message.
Lebanon: UN peacekeepers report intensified military activities along the Blue Line
UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported increased military movements and exchanges of fire along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday.
“UNIFIL Peacekeepers continue to observe the presence and military activities of the Israel Defense Forces,” he told reporters, noting that over the past two days they had seen “more than 100 IDF vehicles moving in the eastern sector and around 60 in the western sector, including several Markava tanks.”
He said peacekeepers reported “around 300 small arms fire” from south of the Blue Line near Kfar Shouba on Monday and “another 100 direct fire” near Shab’a the next day.
Mr. Haq reminded all parties of “their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and assets.” UNIFIL also discovered and reported several weapons caches and continues to organize joint patrols and training with the Lebanese army.
