More than 300 people have died of hunger in Ayod County in Pangak State, located in what is otherwise known as Pow State over the past three weeks, an aid worker said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Thomas Tut Gany, the Director of Christian Mission for Development, a local non-governmental organisation, said the most affected areas include Kandak, Padek, Jesh, Kurwai, Normanyang, Karmun and Bot.

Tut whose organisation works across Ayod County, said they received the data three weeks ago, adding that the number of the people who died of hunger could be higher because no food assistance has been taken to the area.

“The situation is catastrophic and is very dire because people are dying of hunger, people are depending on wild food and also the biggest problem is that the animals have died in the last three months because of last years’ flooding,” Tut added.

He pointed out that the situation has been worsened by the recent fighting between government and opposition forces in Kuachdeng, leading to a massive displacement.

“A lot of people were displaced in Kuachdeng.  And some have gone to Kurwai, some have gone to areas of Uror. We have some schools that were running before but up to 5,000 children have been displaced, ”he said.

Tut noted that children have been hardest hit by hunger and the displacement, saying most of them are malnourished.

The aid worker further said his organisation which supports 54 schools across Ayod with education, water and sanitation and health, has recorded a drop out of more than 10,000 children due to hunger. He indicated that there are reports of children collapsing on their way to school.

“Some may have left to cattle camp, some may have been taken by their parents to the fishing site and some may be stuck at home,” said Tut.

Tut urged humanitarian organisations to assist the children in schools with feeding programs and nutritional supplements.

He called on the warring parties to end hostilities and work together to build a peaceful nation. He also urged the leaders to restore love, tranquillity and peace for the people of South Sudan.

For his part, Peter Puok, the SPLM-IO acting governor, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that there is a great need for a quick humanitarian intervention in the state. He stressed that people are hungry and many are dying in different places due to the hunger.

The rebel official pointed out that at least seven people have died of hunger in the last seven days. He added that the ongoing conflict in the area has worsened the humanitarian situation.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update released recently by the government, three UN agencies and other humanitarian partners, some 100,000 people are facing starvation in parts of South Sudan where famine was declared on 20 February.