The Governor of South Sudan’s Awiel State, Ronald Ruay Deng, admitted that thousands of people have crossed to neighboring Sudan due to hunger in the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Governor Ruay said many families were experiencing harsh humanitarian conditions in the state, forcing a large number of local residents to flee to Sudan.

He further said some people remained in the state but they are currently experiencing deteriorating humanitarian conditions due to lack of food.

The state official noted that there are increasing cases of malnutrition among children. He pointed out that they plan to hold a conference at the end of March to discuss hunger and malnutrition, saying the upcoming meeting will be held in collaboration with local and international originations in the state.

Ruay appealed to aid agencies to and help the needy people as soon as possible. “We admit that we have a famine in Awiel and I call upon the organizations and the United Nations to bring the emergency relief. People are really suffering here due to the famine, many families have decided to go to Sudan,” he said.

Last week, the Governor of Sudan’s Eastern Darfur, Mohammed Al Hassan Al Beirag, said his state was hosting more than 80, 00 refugees from South Sudan, especially citizens from Northern Bahr al Ghazal.