The authorities of Western Lakes State have officially declared threatening hunger following an excessive drought that destroyed crops last year.
The State Council of Ministers in an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday declared the state of hunger, Radio Good News reports.
The state cabinet appeals to all humanitarian organizations to intervene with assistance.
South Sudan has over 90 percent suitable land for growing crops, but only 4.5 percent is being utilized since 2011.
Western Lakes State had never reported excessive drought in its territory in 2016.
The news of extreme drought causing severe hunger comes as a surprise.