Almost 500 families have crossed to the bordering countries of Uganda and Kenya from Ikotos County of Eastern Equatoria due to hunger in the area, according to the county commissioner.
In a statement to Radio Tamazuj last week, the Ikotos Commissioner Peter Lokenge said also at least four people have died of hunger in his county. He added on Wednesday that the estimated number of people that have crossed to Kenya and Uganda will reach 500 families.
Last week, over 68 families crossed to Uganda via Kabong District from Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria State looking for food, he said, while 1,822 persons two weeks ago crossed to Kenya.
The commissioner pointed out that maney of these families were relatives of SPLA soldiers who lost their lives in the civil war.
“People are fleeing daily and we in the county cannot stopped somebody from leaving the area because we don’t have any things to help anyone with food,” he said.
He added that the market prices have increased whereby a bag of maize has reached to 300 SSP. He faulted the current exchange rate system for this. He asked the government to intervene to rescue the situation.