TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer is warning of a growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where he’s spending two weeks as part of an international relief effort.

Colyer is a plastic surgeon. Speaking by telephone Thursday from the African nation, Colyer said conditions are deteriorating as residents attempt to flee fighting between rebels and government forces.

Colyer says residents are battling overcrowding in relief camps, heavy rains and lack of food. He says residents face risk of famine in the coming months in a region of the world that has been plagued by violence.

The lieutenant governor is a member of the International Medical Corps, which provides humanitarian relief. Colyer has traveled extensively to Africa and the Middle East.