Lakes State Declares Natural Disaster as Food Shortages Deepen

By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok

The government of Lakes State, under the leadership of Caretaker Governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, has officially declared a natural disaster following months of prolonged dry spells that have severely affected agricultural production, food security and livelihoods across the state.

Caretaker Minister of Information, Communication and Telecommunication William Koji Kirjok announced the declaration on Tuesday during a press statement, citing a humanitarian assessment conducted between September 5 and 10 that confirmed severe drought conditions affecting communities across Lakes State.

Kirjok said some areas, including Rumbek North and Greater Yirol, were facing extreme food shortages, with some communities reportedly having no food left to eat.

He attributed the crisis to a prolonged lack of rainfall since April, which has caused widespread crop failure and placed thousands of households at risk of hunger.

“The security situation in Lakes State is calm. This food insecurity disaster is not man-made, as is the case with communal clashes that sometimes prevent communities from cultivating their farms. The lack of rainfall is beyond the state’s control,” Kirjok said.

He added that the caretaker government had decided to inform the public about the seriousness of the situation to encourage communities to mobilise available food resources while awaiting assistance from humanitarian organisations.

According to Kirjok, crop losses are estimated at between 75 and 90 per cent, with many households facing complete harvest failure during the coming harvest season. The drought has affected long-term crop varieties and other staple crops planted across the state.

He said household food stocks had been depleted, forcing families to rely increasingly on markets despite their limited purchasing power and minimal humanitarian assistance.

The prolonged dry spell has also severely affected livestock, with animals facing inadequate pasture, water shortages, disease outbreaks and declining productivity.

Kirjok said the movement of livestock to areas with sufficient water and pasture must be coordinated with the Lakes State government to prevent potential conflicts with neighbouring communities.

He warned cattle keepers to comply with state laws and follow the required procedures when moving their herds into neighbouring states, cautioning that unregulated migration could trigger inter-state and communal clashes, cattle theft, revenge killings and sexual violence.

Kirjok said the state government would oversee the movement of livestock and monitor where herds are settled to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent disputes between communities.

The declaration comes amid growing concerns over the impact of prolonged dry conditions on food availability, agricultural livelihoods and livestock survival across Lakes State.