THE IMPACT OF NATURAL AND HUMAN INDUCED DISASTERS ON FOOD SECURITY IN PIBOR COUNTY, JONGLEI STATE, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

The study was conducted in Pibor County, Jonglie State of the Republic of South Sudan. Pibor Payam was particularly selected out of five Payams constituted in the county; four villages such as Manyirang and Kavachor from Gogolthin Boma and Tangajon and Bee villages from Tangajon Boma were sampled as study villages and the total sample size for household interviews was 82 households covering 10% of the total households residing in the selected villages. The research used both qualitative and quantitative methods and also both primary and secondary data. The study area is characterized by a long duration rainy season which lasts for about seven to eight months that is from April through November. The main economic activities are Cattle rearing followed by agriculture (crop production). Most households have on average 52.1 cattle and 9.6 goats and sheep. Out of the 82 households interviewed, 48% HHs responded that they lacked knowledge on proper farming practices; 79% lack of inputs, 80% replied security threats; 84% replied that flood partly or fully affected their production and 23% mentioned lack of agricultural extension services as production constraints in 2012. Despite huge livestock resources, 86% of the households responded that they do not have access to modern veterinary services and drugs in their surroundings. The study indicates that more than half of all food is sourced from the market, with significant shares also contributed by food aid (16%) and social networks (borrowing & gifts, 16%). The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) for stayees, IDPs, returnees and host community is 5.2, 4.3, 4.7 and 5.6 respectively. The percentage of households with a HDDS of 5 and below was 42%, and those with HDDS 5-6 was 58%. The most common strategies employed by a majority of households involve dietary change (reliance on less preferred and less expensive foods, 78%) and increasing short-term food access (borrowing food or gifts). The major types of disasters faced by the community under study during the last three years are ethnic conflict; RMGs, cattle raiding and floods. Flood affected 51%, 54% and 74% of the households under study in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively; ethnic conflict has also worsened through time with 28%, 65% and 77% of the respondents affected during 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. Disasters have significantly affected food security in the study areas with regards to food availability, access and utilization. Recommendations include putting in place preparedness, prevention and mitigation schemes; construction of livestock water points along the borders of conflict areas, initiation of peace dialogues and conferences, provision of agricultural extension services, provision of veterinary services, mainstreaming of DRM into developmental and humanitarian efforts, law enforcement, participation of the community in DRM schemes and restoration of communal infrastructure such as markets and roads