29/08/2026
Resident reports two hunger-related deaths in Kapoeta East
At least two people, a mother and her daughter, have reportedly died from hunger in Kalokupe Village, Kapoeta East County in Eastern Equatoria amid worsening food shortages and prolonged dry conditions.
Joseph Lokai, a resident of the area, told Singaita FM that the two recently died as hunger continues to affect households in the village.
βThere is so much hunger in Kalekupe. Thatβs why I called the radio for people to know this. One mother called Nakure, together with her daughter, died because of hunger,β Lokai said.
Kapoeta East Commissioner Angelo Marko Lotyam said he had not received a report confirming the deaths but acknowledged that the claim could be genuine given the severity of the food crisis.
βThe issue of hunger is undeniable even if we did not get the report. I cannot dismiss it as a lie because the hunger is so much everywhere due to lack of rain,β Lotyam said.
He attributed the worsening food shortages to prolonged dry conditions and inadequate rainfall, which have disrupted food production across the county.
The reported deaths add to growing concerns over hunger in Eastern Equatoria, where communities in several counties are struggling with failed or delayed harvests.
Lafon County has reported the highest number of hunger-related deaths, with local authorities putting the toll at 49. Hunger-related deaths have also been reported in Torit and now in Kapoeta East.
Most communities in Eastern Equatoria depend heavily on subsistence farming for food and livelihoods. Residents say the lack of rainfall has severely affected this yearβs cultivation, leaving many households without the harvest they would normally rely on at this time of year.
The reported deaths in Kalekupe have not been independently verified, and local authorities say they have yet to receive an official report on the cases.
π· File image [An area in Kapoeta East]
