Help North, Government Asks Donors

THE Government is seeking US$21.5m (about sh37.7b) in relief aid from donors to support thousands of civilians suffering as a result of increased Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel attacks in northern Uganda, reports Edris Kisambira.State minister for disaster preparedness in the Prime Minister’s office, Christine Aporu, launched the appeal yesterday at the World Food Programme (WFP) offices before representatives of foreign missions. The three-month appeal, expected to cover the months of July to September, has been prompted by the dire need for food, medicine and other non-food items in order to avert what she called a looming human tragedy. “Government in addition to providing security, is sending some health care, food, and shelter to the victims but the capacity is limited, hence this appeal,” Aporu said.She briefed the officials from the different missions and relief agencies about the situation in the north since a group of LRA rebels led by Vincent Otti crossed into Uganda from the Sudan.Missions at the briefing included Britain, Ireland, Denmark, the United States of America and Japan. Others came from FAO and the UNHCR. Food aid requirements include cereals (maize meal), pulses, vegetable oil, sugar and salt. The funds amounting to sh22.4b are expected to cover transport, storage, handling, direct and indirect support costs. Non-food items include clothes, blankets, cooking utensils, tents tarpaulins, and plastic sheets. The remaining sh16b would cater for rehabilitation and construction of boreholes, provide soap in bars and educational materials like text and exercise books. Aporu said the rebel attacks had worsened the lives of the already displaced 550,000 people in Gulu, Pader and Kitgum districts and the Achol-Pii refugee camp.The WFP deputy country director, Edward Kallon, said 41% of the population in the region was displaced. He said the Government was strengthening security for the IDPs but the vast region made it difficult to guarantee safety to every household.The UN resident coordinator to Uganda, Daouda Toure, asked the donors to quickly relay the appeal to avert the crisis. He said three out of five persons in the region were displaced.Ends