Museveni orders food relief for Karamoja
Apr 18, 2011
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered for fresh distribution of food in Karamoja district.
By OLANDASON WANYAMA
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered for fresh distribution of food in Karamoja district.
The directive comes after reports that famine had worsened in the conflict-stricken region since the World Food Programme suspended food distribution in 2009. The only beneficiaries were the elderly and schools.
The disaster preparedness state minister, Musa Ecweru, on Friday disclosed that the exercise had resumed in Moroto district.
He added that the Government was committed to fighting hunger in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.
“We have food for every vulnerable person in famine-prone areas in the country,†he said.
Ecweru said the Government had acquired a substantial amount of food that would push schools in Karamoja up to the closure of the term on Friday.
Addressing residents in Apeitolim settlement, Napak district, Ecweru advised non-governmental organisations to work with the Government in averting the hunger crisis.
He attributed the famine to prolonged dry spells in several parts of the country.
The minister encouraged the Karimojong settled in the green belt to practise agriculture.
Meanwhile, Moroto mayor Joseph Lomilo disclosed that 54 people from Kambizi, Nakapelimen and Singila villages have died of hunger.
He appealed to relief agencies to supplement the Government’s efforts.
Ecweru asked the district health officials to investigate the matter.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered for fresh distribution of food in Karamoja district.
The directive comes after reports that famine had worsened in the conflict-stricken region since the World Food Programme suspended food distribution in 2009. The only beneficiaries were the elderly and schools.
The disaster preparedness state minister, Musa Ecweru, on Friday disclosed that the exercise had resumed in Moroto district.
He added that the Government was committed to fighting hunger in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.
“We have food for every vulnerable person in famine-prone areas in the country,†he said.
Ecweru said the Government had acquired a substantial amount of food that would push schools in Karamoja up to the closure of the term on Friday.
Addressing residents in Apeitolim settlement, Napak district, Ecweru advised non-governmental organisations to work with the Government in averting the hunger crisis.
He attributed the famine to prolonged dry spells in several parts of the country.
The minister encouraged the Karimojong settled in the green belt to practise agriculture.
Meanwhile, Moroto mayor Joseph Lomilo disclosed that 54 people from Kambizi, Nakapelimen and Singila villages have died of hunger.
He appealed to relief agencies to supplement the Government’s efforts.
Ecweru asked the district health officials to investigate the matter.