South Sudan food shortage gets worse, UN 

New York, 21 Aug-(ANA)-Urgent financial assistance of  over $ 50m is needed to ensure Southern Sudan can avert severe hunger among its inhabitants, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned. 

Some 22,000 metric tons of food aid will be needed, and the UN is working with 
the Government of Sudan, the Government of Southern Sudan, donors and 
humanitarian partners to secure the financing and supplies needed to ward off a crisis. 

The World Food Programme  has 80,000 metric tons of food in stock, but will need more than $40 million for food and transportation 
costs. 

The UN Children's Fund needs just over $7.5 million to provide nutritional support, while the Food and Agricultural Organization  requires $800,000 for its activities. 

OCHA today also expressed concern over possible flooding in the area due to the late onset of seasonal rains. (ANA)

FA/ANA/21 August 2009---