The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has said it requires 74 million U.S. dollars for the next six months to meet the needs of all the South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.

In a report received in Juba on Sunday, WFP said food stocks were being stretched and that immediate funds were required in particular for refugees in Sudan and Uganda.

"In addition to providing food assistance inside South Sudan, WFP provides food assistance for refugees at border crossings, during transit, at reception centres and upon settlement in the camps," the report said.

The report said that despite recent political progress in South Sudan, a deteriorating food and nutrition situation, economic decline and sporadic violence were continuing to significantly impact humanitarian needs within the country.

"The deteriorating economic conditions, coupled with rising prices of essential commodities, is contributing to rising criminality in most parts of the country," it said.

WFP added the economic decline and high inflation combined with disrupted harvests and livelihoods continued to worsen the food security situation."

WFP says it is scaling up its efforts to reach food insecure households.

As of June 14 this year, more than 57,000 South Sudanese refugees had arrived in Kenya since mid-December 2013 when South Sudan descended into civil conflict, according to WFP.

"WFP provides a combination of cash-based and in-kind food assistance to refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab (refugee camps in Kenya). Treatment of moderate acute malnutrition is provided to children under five years, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers," the report said.

In Sudan and Uganda, the rate of new arrivals has slowed compared with previous months. As of June 10, more than 230,000 South Sudanese refugees had arrived in Ethiopia since late 2013, according to the report.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2016)