Easter Equatoria State government is sounding the food shortage alarm bells, calling on relief aid agencies to rescue the population from hunger threats.
Agriculture minister Jerome Surur Gama alerted the press that Eastern Equatoria state is facing severe food shortage, Emmanuel Radio reported.
He said the situation is worse than in previous years.
Mr. Surur said the crops were destroyed by birds, grasshoppers, flooding and wild fires.
He added that Budi, Magwi, Lafon/Lopa, Kapoeta East, North and South counties are among the most affected areas.
Mr. Surur appealed to the World Food Programme, faith based organizations and other aid agencies to help the new nation to address the food crisis in Eastern Equatoria.
Food and Agriculture Organization included Eastern Equatoria among the five states facing food insecurity in South Sudan.
Almost 96,000 people in Eastern Equatoria state suffer from severe food insecurity while over 250, 000 are moderately insecure.