Tens of thousands of people are on the brink of starvation with many living in swamps and surviving on water lilies and goat bones In South Sudan.
A hunger crisis affecting an estimated 4.8 million people could turn catastrophic unless humanitarian relief is urgently stepped up. Mercy Corps Country Director Deepmala Mahla warned that the situation is dire.
She said the worst of the hunger is in the south of Unity State, where people have moved deep into swamp areas.
People have been surviving for weeks, just eating water lilies. People are also cooking goat skin and bones because there is nothing else, she said, adding about 40,000 people are at risk of dying unless swift action is taken.
In the capital Juba, vegetable traders are now cutting tomatoes in half to sell because some customers can no longer afford to buy a whole one, Mahla said.