There is severe hunger in three payams in Cueibet County, authorities have said.

County Commissioner Mayom Malek says the payams are among the areas worst affected by communal fighting.

Mr Malek told Eye Radio that the situation could worsen unless the people are supplied with food assistance.

“The three payams; that is Pagor, Tiaptiap and Chitchok, are suffering from hunger because they did not cultivate last year due to the crisis between themselves and crisis between them and neighbors,” Mr Malek stressed.

He appealed to the communities in the area to stop revenge killings and focus on agriculture this year.

Over 500 people lost lives to retaliatory attacks and cattle raids in Lakes last year, according to the National Legislative Assembly.

The government attribute the killings to proliferation of firearms in the hands of civilians.