The Commissioner of Lobonok in Jubek state, Gworit Kosi says armyworms have destroyed most farms and caused acute hunger in the County.

The commissioner says this has contributed to severe hunger in the area.

Last week, Mr. Kosi says two people have died from conditions related to hunger in the area.

Armyworm is a pest of maize and several other crops which are capable of destroying crops in a matter of weeks.

Researchers believe that the worms tend to occur at very high densities during rainy seasons, especially after periods of prolonged drought.

Commissioner Gworit Kosi says farmers have cultivated variety of crops but were destroyed by the pests.

“Since April, May, and June there was no rainfall, the farmers cultivated maize but the farms have been destroyed by the fall armyworms,” Kosi said.

“We have been appealing for assistance, since the death of two people in the area but no one has responded to our call. They did not send people to assess the situation,” he said.

Last month, the Minister of Agriculture, Onyoti Adigo said the threat of the armyworm prompted his ministry to come up with control measures to limit the threat of the fest in South Sudan.

It is not clear how much funds have been raised to address the situation.