The Archbishop of Wales has joined forces with Christian Aid to call on the UK government to halt proposed aid cuts to South Sudan.

It's been reported that cuts could be as much as 59 percent of the existing budget currently allocated for the country. 

Under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification process, some regions of the country have been categorised as 'Famine Likely.'

Archbishop John Davies, who will retire in May, said in a statement: "I strongly urge the UK government to stop these and other international aid cuts. They will do untold damage to the poorest communities in our world. In South Sudan in particular, these cuts risk tipping the country into a deep crisis."

The Church in Wales' Centenary Appeal is supporting a Christian Aid project to restore peace in South Sudan.

"Through our Centenary Appeal, we in Wales stand with our brothers and sisters in South Sudan. I urge the UK government to do the same. I understand the need for fiscal responsibility, but these are the wrong cuts, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. Be it carelessly or deliberately, these cuts will harm vulnerable people. We must not balance the books on the backs of the poorest in our world. In the name of all that is good, Prime Minister, please stop these cuts," he added.

Cynan Llwyd, acting head of Christian Aid in Wales, said: "South Sudan is in a particularly fragile state. Food security has worsened due to a number of reasons like flooding, displacement and a long running conflict. Christian Aid's partners are working hard on the ground to help but it is a desperate situation.

"Through its Centenary Appeal, the Church in Wales is supporting one of our partners in its efforts to build and maintain peace. Conflict makes poverty much worse and threatens any gains made through development work. Christian Aid will continue to work with its partners in South Sudan but the aid cuts will make our work much harder."