Karamoja food aid increased
May 27, 2009
FOOD aid to Karamoja has been increased by 23%, following the reassessment of the extent of hunger in the region, according to the Uganda Humanitarian Update for April.
By Anthony Bugembe
FOOD aid to Karamoja has been increased by 23%, following the reassessment of the extent of hunger in the region, according to the Uganda Humanitarian Update for April.
“Beneficiaries will now receive 12kg of food per person, instead of 9kg they were receiving before,†the report explains.
“Other interventions aimed at improving Karamoja’s food security are ongoing; among which are seed distribution to 120,000 households and distribution of tools, cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines to 2,100 households in Nakapiripirit district.â€
The agriculture ministry in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minster, has also started supplying seeds and planting materials worth $700,000 (about 1.4b) to the districts of Abim, Kotido and Kaabong.
Seeds will also be provided to about 60,000 households in Moroto and Nakapiripirit districts beginning this month, says the report.
“However, the confirmation of cassava brown streak disease at multiplication fields in Lotukei, Abim and Morulem sub-counties in Abim, has brought into focus the need to verify seed and crop health before distribution,†the report notes.
Although no single case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Agago county, Pader district, the report notes, the ban on animal movement in the area remains.
“The district awaits the response of the commissioner for livestock health to its request to lift the restriction, which continues to negatively impact the animal restocking exercise,†the report said.
It observes that irregular rainfall in April raised concerns over possible increased hunger in Amuru district.
FOOD aid to Karamoja has been increased by 23%, following the reassessment of the extent of hunger in the region, according to the Uganda Humanitarian Update for April.
“Beneficiaries will now receive 12kg of food per person, instead of 9kg they were receiving before,†the report explains.
“Other interventions aimed at improving Karamoja’s food security are ongoing; among which are seed distribution to 120,000 households and distribution of tools, cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines to 2,100 households in Nakapiripirit district.â€
The agriculture ministry in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minster, has also started supplying seeds and planting materials worth $700,000 (about 1.4b) to the districts of Abim, Kotido and Kaabong.
Seeds will also be provided to about 60,000 households in Moroto and Nakapiripirit districts beginning this month, says the report.
“However, the confirmation of cassava brown streak disease at multiplication fields in Lotukei, Abim and Morulem sub-counties in Abim, has brought into focus the need to verify seed and crop health before distribution,†the report notes.
Although no single case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Agago county, Pader district, the report notes, the ban on animal movement in the area remains.
“The district awaits the response of the commissioner for livestock health to its request to lift the restriction, which continues to negatively impact the animal restocking exercise,†the report said.
It observes that irregular rainfall in April raised concerns over possible increased hunger in Amuru district.