By Yiep Joseph
Action Against Hunger (ACF) has engaged members of parliament (MPs) and youth in collective efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the country.
During the one-day high-level dialogue that brought together MPs and youth, Simon Malual Deng, a member of parliament, called on the youth to abandon violence and engage in farming.
Malual emphasized that youth have a role in combating hunger and malnutrition.
He stressed that while lawmakers continue to push for relevant legislation, the youth should take immediate action in farming and food production.
“As members of parliament, we shall push for policies and laws that favour food production while you as for you the youth focus on taking action, start by having small farms that is how we can combat Hunger and Malnutrition,” he said.
He appealed to the youth to cease involvement in conflict adding that putting hands together in Agriculture will help in combating hunger.
In his part George Gitau, the Country Director for Action Against Hunger (ACF) expressed that the event was meant to engage lawmakers and youth on their role in combating hunger.
He appreciated the participants for the turnup and urged them to use the opportunity to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration in finding innovative and locally driven solutions to the ongoing hunger crises.
Meanwhile, Ajak Atem Diing the Chairperson of Aspire Youth Connect appreciated the organizers and urged the young people who are the majority to continue advocating for good policies that boost Agricultural production in the country.
He urged youth and members of parliament to team up and advocate for initiatives that combat hunger and malnutrition in the country.
“We need to work together but each one of us has a role to play, since our country is facing a humanitarian crisis, there is need for immediate action to help our people,” Ajak said.
He urged the lawmakers to push for policies that can improve food production citing that adequate food production in the country remains a major solution to hunger.
The workshop which was organized by ACF with support from German Federal Foreign Office brought forty participants together to discuss policy actions and legislative measures to mitigate the impact of funding cuts on lifesaving interventions as well as empower youth to take an active role in advocacy, amplifying community voices in national and international platforms.
South Sudan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis exacerbated by multiple challenges, including the ongoing refugee influx due to the Sudan crisis, climate change-induced disasters such as prolonged dry spells, heat waves, and severe flooding, as well as the persistent threat of hunger and disease outbreaks like cholera.
At the same time, donor funding is shrinking, posing a significant threat to the sustainability of critical interventions needed to address these challenges. Without urgent and collective action, millions of lives remain at risk.
In light of these challenges, the Action Against Hunger Advocacy Department convened the high-level dialogue to bring together Members of Parliament (MPs), youth leaders, and media representatives.
This platform aims to foster discussions on how these key stakeholders can collaboratively advocate for sustainable solutions to South Sudan’s growing humanitarian crisis.