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Today, September 21, is the United Nations International Day of Peace. On this day, we are reminded of the critical need for peace in maintaining food security in at-risk countries around the globe.

One such country is South Sudan, whose nation has been plagued with ongoing violence since December 2013. The civil unrest has caused over 2.4 million residents to flee their homes — causing fields to lie fallow, livestock to be looted or abandoned and the national food system as a whole to be disrupted due to economic decline. The people of South Sudan are experiencing near-famine conditions as a result, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein described the conflict as “one of the most horrendous human rights situations in the world.

South Sudan - Nov 2011

According to the World Food Programme, food insecurity is both a catalyst and byproduct of  political instability and conflict. On this International Day of Peace, with a purpose of “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples,” we commit to supporting initiatives that will help further peace in war-torn nations, and will pave the way for improved, sustainable food accessibility worldwide.

south sudan-2013-5

As South Sudan’s brutal civil war continues, Stop Hunger Now has provided our long-term partner Crosscurrents International Institute with a $54,000 grant to support the organization’s efforts to address the outbreak of Kala Azar–also known as Black fever–in South Sudan. The funds will be used to address malnutrition caused by Kala Azar through the purchase of PlumpyNut, a specialized nutrition product. An estimated 500 children under the age of 5 will receive treatment for malnutrition through this grant.

Stop Hunger Now works year-round to prepare for and respond to crisis around the globe. Please consider making a donation to our crisis response fund today to provide critical nourishment and aid to those in great need.

South Sudan - 2011 (19)

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