At least 49 people have died from hunger-related conditions in Lafon County, authorities say, as a worsening food crisis leaves vulnerable communities struggling to find enough to eat.
The county’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) says the death toll has risen sharply from an earlier figure of 29, with deaths reported across several payams as food shortages deepen.
RRC Coordinator Libel Ukach Milton confirmed the latest figure, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the county.
The county commissioner, Orupi David Uyek, separately said more than 40 people had died from hunger-related conditions, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
The emergency has been driven by years of flooding that destroyed crops and disrupted harvests, followed by a prolonged dry spell from March to early July this year.
With food production severely affected, many households are now struggling to secure regular meals.
Some residents have been forced to survive on wild fruits, leaves and other alternative sources of food.
The crisis is particularly severe among children under five, elderly people and other vulnerable residents who face difficulties travelling long distances in search of food.
Local authorities and communities are calling for an urgent humanitarian response, including food assistance, medical support and agricultural supplies, to prevent further deaths.
They are also appealing for improved road access to enable humanitarian agencies to reach affected communities and deliver relief supplies.
Humanitarian organisations have begun responding to the emergency, but authorities say more assistance is urgently needed as the food crisis continues to threaten lives across Lafon County.
