Hunger has killed at least ten people in Greater Kapoeta of Eastern Equatoria and the rates of malnutrition are high in the area.
The alert was sounded by a group of county commissioners who came to Juba to launch an international appeal for food aid.Kapoeta North County Commissioner Local Iko said in a statement to the press that the area had a very poor crop due to a dry spell and then to heavy rains that destroyed what would have been a bump crop.
He said the rates of malnutrition are high among children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and old people and at least ten people died of hunger, some while looking for wild fruits in the bush.
Mr Iko called for international help to avert the humanitarian disaster looming over Greater Kapoeta.
He asked traders to bring food for sale in the markets.
He explained that people are desperate to exchange animals for food.
Mr Iko said the food should arrive in Greater Kapoeta before the rain makes local roads impassable.
Government spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the delegation of Eastern Equatoria county commissioners would meet with the minister for humanitarian affairs to launch a local and international appeal to face hunger in Greater Kapoeta.