There is severe hunger in Ikotos County, authorities in Eastern Equatoria have said.

Commissioner says these results from drought that has affected crop yields this year. Peter Lokeng has called on the government and humanitarian agencies to intervene.

“Now, we are really appealing to the government to assist this community, not only this side alone or this payam alone, but the whole of Ikotos County,” Mr Lokeng said.

A team headed by the state advisor on economy and development, Martin Odwar, went to the county for an assessment in the area recently.

Mr Odwar told Eye Radio that the county has been badly affected.

“The people in Ikotos are suffering so much; they have been suffering silently because what we saw with our own eyes was terrible,” he described the situation. “People have not had rain for over four months and literally, the green nature have withered.”

People of Ikotos mostly depend on subsistence farming and cattle herding. Little or no rainfall affects farming in the area.