Women collecting wild fruit in river in Unity State (Photo by courtesy)
JUBA — The hunger crisis in Leer County, Unity State, has reached critical levels as families struggle to find food amidst escalating violence, devastating floods, economic decline, and disruptions to humanitarian aid.
Recent flooding has destroyed crops and hindered harvesting, leaving many without their primary food source.
With markets depleted and traditional food sources exhausted, families are now forced to forage wild fruits from bushes for survival.
The situation has deteriorated further as rivers have dried up, eliminating water lilies—once a vital food source—and leaving communities with no viable alternatives.
More than 57,000 vulnerable families are now grappling with food scarcity as violence, floods, and market shortages escalate.
Angelina Nyaluda, a mother of four from Leer County, shared that recent floods prevented her family from harvesting crops, resulting in severe food shortages.
“Our survival depends on collecting fruits from the bushes, and we sometimes venture into the bush to gather fruits from trees,” Nyaluda told Dawn in an exclusive interview.
She explained that prolonged flooding has left her family facing hunger as crops have been destroyed.
“The hunger crisis in Leer County is worsened by the depletion of water lilies, which have been a critical food source for many residents,” she said.
“Currently, water lilies and wild fruits are inaccessible due to large crowds, making it difficult for people to gather these resources. You can search the river and the bush and return empty-handed. I can’t endure this hunger.”
Nyaluda revealed that her children can go for days without food because of the scarcity of water lilies and wild fruits in the area.
“I have four children with me. My daughter is also staying with us. I have been providing for them since their father passed away,” she added.
Recent violence among SPLA-IO forces in Leer County, stemming from an internal dispute over command of Group 4B Division, has disrupted farming activities and forced residents to flee ongoing attacks.
Food shipments via the river have been intentionally obstructed by SPLA-IO forces, leading to a depletion of food commodities in the Leer market.
With their livelihoods devastated, families are left to gather wild plants, hunt, and rely on sporadic emergency food supplies due to global aid disruptions.
Mark Mach, a youth leader in Leer County, noted that children and pregnant mothers are experiencing severe acute malnutrition and are at risk of death due to food shortages.
“People in Leer County are truly suffering. Vulnerable individuals and children are dying. There is no nutrition to support them,” said Mach.
He emphasized that traditional food sources such as water lilies are becoming increasingly scarce due to high demand.
Communities in the flood-affected region of Unity State have long relied on water lilies and other wild foods to fill gaps when crops fail or markets run dry.
As a result, families are forced to travel farther into swamps and along rivers to forage, straining already fragile coping mechanisms.
“People depend on water lilies, but they are now gone. The situation here is too difficult to manage. Everyone is on equal ground,” Mach said.
He warned that without alternative food sources, the decline of water lilies—previously a safeguard against starvation—has pushed more households into severe food insecurity.
Mach called for urgent food assistance, expanded nutrition programs, and improved access to isolated communities to prevent further deterioration in Leer County.
“My message to humanitarian efforts is that immediate intervention is necessary. We need support that prioritizes everyone, followed by assistance from others, accompanied by positive actions.”
Last year, assessments by United Nations agencies indicated that more than half of South Sudan’s population—around 7.5 million people—are expected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger during the 2026 lean season, which runs from April to July.
Over 2 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition during the same period.
James Dor Mathiang, Director of the Leer County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), reported that approximately 57,000 households in Leer County are experiencing acute hunger due to the worsening food security situation.
Dor attributed the food shortages to flooding, violence, and the blockage of Adok port, which has hindered the importation of goods from Juba.
“The hunger crisis emerged during the rainy season when people put significant effort into cultivating their land, only to have their crops affected by flooding,” Dor said.
“There has also been conflict in the southern part of Leer. The recent violence among SPLA-IO forces has scattered people, forcing them to live in the highlands here in Leer.”
He noted that households are facing unprecedented hardship; families that once managed seasonal shortages are now struggling daily to secure even one meal.
“They are living without food. Even during the dry season, those who relied on collecting water lilies can no longer find them,” he said.
“The SPLA-IO forces have also blocked the Adok Port, the main route for traders to bring goods from Juba. Currently, nothing enters Lair town or the community.”
Kueth Latjor, executive director of Leer County, stated that they are collaborating with NGOs and the state government to address the hunger crisis in Leer County.
“The situation in Leer is marked by significant frustration. Flooding has destroyed crops, and the community has not engaged in cultivation this year, contributing to heightened anger in the area,” Latjor said.
For over five years, relentless seasonal flooding has displaced more than half the population across Leer County and other areas of Unity State.
Homes, grazing areas, and farmland have vanished under water, forcing entire communities onto shrinking highlands.
The devastating floods have cut people off from transportation and essential services such as health care and markets in Leer town.
