Lakes State has declared a state of disaster after an El Niño-induced drought devastated crops, raising fears of severe food shortages and possible famine in the coming months.
State officials announced the declaration during a meeting with humanitarian partners, citing prolonged dry spells during the main cultivation season that have sharply reduced harvests and left communities vulnerable to hunger.
Caretaker Governor Riny Tueny Mabor urged households to prepare for the looming crisis, warning residents not to rely entirely on external assistance.
“We are not going to wait for the donors or relief from anyone, but we start with ourselves,” Mabor said, calling on families to stock enough food to cope with the crisis.
Meanwhile, Information Minister William Koji Kerjok appealed to international donors and humanitarian agencies to respond urgently, warning that the situation could deteriorate into famine without immediate intervention.
“Lakes State is in disaster. Take the matter as an emergency,” Kerjok said.
He urged governments at all levels to treat the crisis as a national concern, warning that residents were already facing severe food and water shortages.
The declaration highlights the growing impact of climate-related shocks on South Sudan’s largely agrarian communities, many of which depend on seasonal rainfall for food production.
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