Three UN agencies have warned that South Sudan is facing “unprecedented” levels of food insecurity, with almost 25 percent of the population in urgent need of food assistance.

They include the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food Program.

The agencies also say at least 40,000 people are close to hunger disaster.

In a statement the agencies say the situation of food security in South Sudan is worrying.

The dry season is now beginning. The three UN agencies noted that this could make it even more difficult for people who are affected by hunger.

The agencies say the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification update released by humanitarian partners, shows that the hunger period will be longer this year than in previous years.

“It is not only areas directly affected by conflict that are food insecure — some 200,000 people in Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap states have also seen their access to food deteriorate, owing to factors such as price inflation and market disruptions that are tied to the conflict,” said Serge Tissot, Acting FAO Representative in South Sudan.

“Prompt implementation of the peace agreement is absolutely critical to improving the food situation.”

They say rising insecurity in Equatoria region has led to interrupted movement of humanitarian agencies to deliver relief assistance to the

The UN agencies called for the quick implementation of the peace agreement.