Drought: Isingiro people get food relief

Jan 25, 2017

Isingiro is one of the leading producers of matooke in Uganda but that exalted position is now threatened by the persistent drought.

Isingiro district in western Uganda has been adversely affected by prolonged drought.

In the wake of the food scarcity in the area, renowned American reverend and commercial farmer, Sam Childers, has donated approximately ten thousand kilograms (10 tons) of rice and beans to the people of Isingiro.

The food which was got from his farm in Amuru district was distributed to more than 1000 families in Kashumba sub-county in Isingiro, which is said to be one of the most affected areas by the food shortage.
 
Childers, who has lived in Uganda for the past 20 years, said the families in Isingiro need help from all able and kind-hearted Ugandans, instead of leaving the problem to government and other political leaders.
 
"The problems in Isingiro are not custom-tailored for that place," he told reporters at his offices in Muyenga, Kampala.

"Every other part of the country can face the same problem and so we need to wake up and learn to help others in need. We shouldn't be waiting for government to solve every last problem in a community, even where we can step in and help."

The food items were delivered to Isingiro on Saturday.

 

The district has been facing severe drought since 2015, which forced many families to relocate in search of food and pastures for their animals.
 
The government last year pledged to support the people in that district with relief supplies until they recover from the prolonged drought.
 
"These people primarily survive on agriculture which is now threatened by the drought. Therefore, as citizens and residents of this country, we should all focus on supplementing government efforts by giving whatever we can and the Lord will bless every soul on the land," said Childers.
 
He said the people of Isingiro should be helped in growing weather-resistant food crops in a bid to tackle the drought problem, and promised to continue supporting the communities.
 
According to the ministry of agriculture, Isingiro is one of the leading producers of matooke in Uganda but that exalted position is now threatened by the persistent drought.

 

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