The International Committee of the Red Cross says it needs additional $19 million for its humanitarian operations in South Sudan.

It describes the humanitarian situation in the country as bleak.

“Despite other crises currently unfolding around the world, it’s important not to forget increasingly silent tragedies like the one taking place in South Sudan,” said Eric Marclay, the ICRC’s head of operations for East Africa, in a statement.

ICRC says the country faces high malnutrition rates, prolonged displacement and has a few health facilities.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and still live in camps or temporary settlements, and some are scattered in remote places far from any services.

“Displacement has disrupted people’s very ability to survive,” said Mr Marclay. “People have been unable to plant their crops. They have lost their cattle. They lack fishing equipment, seed and tools.”

The humanitarian group says the additional funding will bring the ICRC’s annual budget for South Sudan to approximately $139 million.

The ICRC says the additional money will mainly be used to provide food for 150,000 people until the end of the year.

ICRC says South Sudan is the second biggest site of its operations after Syria.