People sheltering in the United Nations base in Melut County in Upper Nile state have complained about shortage of food amid deteriorating living conditions.

The chief of the community inside the base, Jermaya Wunungweir, said they are suffering a shortage of food since the beginning of January.

He pointed out that the relief organizations last provided them with fifteen days' worth of food on 18 December last year.

“We were supposed to receive food items from 30 December but until now the people are still suffering," he said.

Jermaya appealed to aid agencies to provide them with food as soon as possible to avoid any crisis that may arise from the current situation.

There are 700 people living in the UN base in Melut, according to the latest figures provided by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

File photo: Food distribution in Bentiu, Unity state, in July 2014