JUBA: Parts of war-ravaged South Sudan have been hit by famine, a senior government official said on Monday, saying nearly half the country’s population would be food insecure by July.
“In greater unity (state), some counties are classified in famine or ... risk of famine,” Isaiah Chol Aruai, chairman of South Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistic, told a news conference in Juba.
He said the long term effect of the conflict combined with high food prices, economic disruption and low agricultural production would was expected to make 4.9 million people food insecure between February and April, with that number rising to 5.5 million by July.
Parts of South Sudan experiencing famine — government official
Parts of South Sudan experiencing famine — government official
![Half the South Sudan's population would be food insecure by July said a government official on Monday. (Reuters) Parts of South Sudan experiencing famine — government official](https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/20/02/2017//7707652256697303.jpg?itok=Y9N1dFgl)