AWEIL — Hunger fears are growing in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State as a prolonged dry spell threatens food production and raises concerns over worsening food insecurity among vulnerable communities.
Residents and farmers in Malual-Baai payam in Aweil East county who spoke to Sudans Post on Friday reported poor rainfall, raising concerns that crops could fail if the dry conditions persist.
Yel Yel Kuol, one of the executive chiefs in Malual-Baai Payam, said inadequate rainfall has caused newly planted crops to wither, raising fears of hunger in the area.
“The situation is getting worse. Here in Rum-wel, as well as the surrounding areas of Majak-Paluiel, Tiit-Ubiet, Warapac, and others, residents are all being affected,” Kuol said.
Kuol expressed concern, saying the rains have stopped since May.
“I am appealing to the government and humanitarian organizations, on behalf of my community, to intervene and help us address this situation.”
“There is little we can do, as most of the areas I mentioned have been severely affected by the lack of rainfall. Crops are withering and drying up, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable.”
Kuol said even sources of drinking water are drying up, while frogs can no longer be heard because many ponds have dried up.
He lamented that livestock are also at risk of dying as pastures have become scarce.
He urged the government to help by excavating large ponds to provide water and support the growth of vegetation during the dry spell.
“They should dig ponds for us so that we can grow vegetables and other crops, as we have already lost hope of planting anything this year.”
Santino Bol Anguel, State Minister of Agriculture, said the government is aware of crop failures caused by extreme weather conditions affecting parts of Aweil East County.
Bol said the ministry is planning to convene an urgent extraordinary symposium with development and humanitarian partners to discuss the situation and develop appropriate intervention measures.
“We are fully aware of what is happening in most areas of the state, which have been severely affected by drought, particularly in Aweil North, Aweil East, and Aweil South counties,” he said.
“As a matter of urgency, we will convene a meeting with our partners to identify ways of providing humanitarian assistance to the affected communities.”
He said building resilience was essential to helping communities overcome extreme poverty, adding that livelihood-support activities should be prioritized once humanitarian organizations intervene.
