With famine now declared in parts of South Sudan, it is “absolutely fundamental” that aid workers can reach people in need, a top official with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has stated.

Luca Rossi, FAO senior advisor on resilience, said allowing humanitarian access to affected areas will ensure people get food as well as help with restoring their livelihoods.

Some 100,000 people in South Sudan’s Unity State are currently facing starvation, according to FAO, which warns that the number could reach more than five million if action isn’t taken now.

The UN agency described the famine as a “man-made” crisis, resulting from years of ongoing conflict and a collapsed economy which have also hindered crop production.

Sandra Ferrari asked Mr Rossi how lack of humanitarian access has also been a factor.

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