“Its inevitable consequence is the death of the most vulnerable” – drought in South Sudan
When we say that “the situation is deteriorating” in South Sudan, we are talking about an unimaginable scale of suffering and hardship – above all, hunger – that the people of the country are facing. Another prolonged drought is forcing the people of South Sudan to turn directly to us and to you. The text below contains a testimony that cannot and must not be ignored.
My name is Samuel Mareng, and I have worked for PCPM in Aweil since March 2017, where I am responsible for implementing the organization’s activities. Over nearly nine years, PCPM has provided substantial support to our facility, supplying medicines, therapeutic milk and other essential resources. This support has been received very positively by the entire Aweil community.
The current situation, however, is dramatic. The drought that has affected the entire Sogam region, particularly Northern Bahr el Ghazal, has impacted the whole population. Those arriving from Sudan, nomadic communities and refugees will suffer the most. As a result, hunger is expected to intensify from October to December this year, while malnutrition rates will rise and peak in 2027. The stocks of peanuts and other food products that we received from PCPM at the beginning of the year ran out much sooner than expected. This is now having a direct impact on the entire population.
Children showing signs of malnutrition are coming to the facility, but we do not have sufficient resources to help them. Since April, PCPM has provided us with 21 cartons of therapeutic milk, which will not be enough even to last until December. We are therefore forced to limit assistance to the most severe cases, which is not enough.
The consequences of drought are always devastating. It affects children, older people, refugees and returnees most severely. Due to the lack of rainfall, crops of peanuts, okra and pumpkins have failed—foods that had previously helped combat malnutrition. Drought brings nothing good; its inevitable consequence is the death of the most vulnerable.
Market prices are extremely high because of the enormous demand for maize flour and other basic products. The situation in Aweil in 2026 is significantly worse than in previous years and requires the immediate intervention of the international community. Without assistance, the most vulnerable people in the region may not survive the coming year.
Despite these difficulties, the Aweil community and people returning from Sudan express their deep gratitude to PCPM for its support to date, including the provision of medicines, milk and blankets for the mobile clinic.
In humanitarian crises and during prolonged droughts, children are the most vulnerable. Every package of therapeutic food and every bag of powdered milk can make the difference between life and death for a child in Aweil.
Join PCPM’s community of regular donors. Set up a monthly donation and give children in South Sudan the certainty that help will arrive on time.
n humanitarian crises and prolonged droughts, the youngest are the most vulnerable. Every pack of therapeutic food and every bag of powdered milk can mean the difference between life and death for a child in Aweil.
Join PCPM’s community of regular donors. Set up a monthly donation and give children in South Sudan the certainty that help will arrive in time.
