By Ijoo Bosco
The food crisis in Eastern Equatoria State is worsening, with authorities confirming more hunger-related deaths and warning that prolonged drought continues to push communities toward famine.
The State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) says five people died of hunger in Lafon County last week following a joint humanitarian assessment. The deaths come just days after three other hunger-related deaths were reported in Torit County, raising fresh concerns over the growing humanitarian emergency.
Speaking to the media, the deputy chairperson of the state RRC, Khadija Clement, said the crisis has spread beyond Lafon, affecting Greater Kapoeta, Ikotos County, and the state’s administrative areas, where failed harvests and prolonged dry conditions have left thousands of families struggling to find food.
Clement noted that Magwi County remains the only area in Eastern Equatoria that has not recorded hunger-related deaths, although it is now receiving people displaced by food shortages from neighbouring counties.
She said the RRC and humanitarian partners are conducting assessments and compiling a report for the national Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to mobilise urgent food aid and nutrition support for the affected communities.