United Nations, July 1 (RHC)-- Three United Nations agencies have warned of a hunger disaster in the crisis-hit South Sudan, saying up to 4.8 million people face critical food shortages.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Program (WFP) issued the warning in a joint statement released on Wednesday.

“Up to 4.8 million people in South Sudan – well over one-third of the population – will be facing severe food shortages over the coming months, and the risk of a hunger catastrophe continues to threaten parts of the country” the statement read.  It further warned of an “unprecedented” level of food insecurity in the African country, saying the worsening situation there “coincides with an unusually long and harsh annual lean season, when families have depleted their food stocks and new harvests are not expected until August.”

Meanwhile, the WFP said it expected to assist 3.3 million people this year with life-saving nutrition support, emergency food assistance and other aid.