The Archbishop of Wales, John Davies, is urging the UK government to "do all it can" to support the rapid implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan.

A new report has shown that six counties in the country are facing starvation as it marks seven years of the beginning of the last civil war. Delays in the peace-building process are thought to be one of the main reasons behind the food crisis. 

Archbishop Davies said: "The efforts to build peace there have been central to the work of the Church and we've had the opportunity to support that work recently. But there is so much more to be done. The necessary development work needed in one of the world's poorest countries is hampered by conflict.

"I urge the UK government to do all it can to support the peace-building process."

The Church in Wales is supporting humanitarian charity Christin Aid in its projects in South Sudan. The charity says the deadliest factor which stymies efforts to halt the worsening food insecurity is continued violence and armed conflict.  

Christian Aid's South Sudan country director, James Wani, said that floods, conflict and Covid-19 have matted to "fuel the food crisis". 

"Hunger is an ally of Covid-19," he added. 

The charity is calling on the UK Government to invest in local and national humanitarian agencies who are at the forefront of tackling the crisis and leading reconciliation processes.

According to the Famine Review Committee report current levels of food security assistance in the country would not be enough to avert a famine.