JUBA/GENEVA (Reuters) – South Sudan is no longer classified as being in famine, although 45,000 people in Jonglei and Unity states are expected to remain in famine-like conditions and the situation is still very critical, a U.N.-backed food security report said on Wednesday.

An estimated 6 million people, half the population, are expected to be severely food insecure this month and next, the report said.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report was based on a survey by a working group including government and U.N. officials.

(Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Alison Williams)