Experts have warned that the outbreak of fall armyworm may exacerbate food shortages in various areas in war-torn South Sudan where half of the population is already facing hunger, a UN agency said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its update on Friday that the crop-eating caterpillars have been reported by the government in Magwi, Yei, Juba, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and parts of Jonglei.

It said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the outbreak poses an additional challenge to South Sudan’s prospects of agricultural recovery.

“Partners will launch a country-wide strategy and awareness campaign to promote effective and efficient control interventions,” it said.

However, the UN agency said options for immediate response are limited as knowledge of control interventions is low, and costs are high, leaving them out of reach for the majority of farmers in South Sudan.

A new pest in Africa, fall armyworm prefers maize plants but also feeds on sorghum, millet, vegetables and other crops.

An estimated 6 million people are severely food insecure this lean season.