Kotido Appeals Over Famine

Jun 28, 2002

Kotido chief administrative officer Walter Iriama has appealed to the Prime minister’s office to intervene in the looming famine in the district.

By Nathan EtenguKotido chief administrative officer Walter Iriama has appealed to the Prime minister’s office to intervene in the looming famine in the district.Iriama said there were indicators that the district was likely to be struck by a famine, following the crop failure and insecurity caused by the Karimojong warriors in the fertile county of Labwor.He said the rains had stopped in March, until this month when isolated showers were received on the western belt of the district.“This unusual pattern has led to the deteriorating food stock,” Iriama said in a letter to the Permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s office.He said weather unpredictability hampered crop cultivation, adding that the situation was compounded when meagre food stocks in places like Panyangara sub-county were destroyed during clashes between the UPDF and the warriors.“This meant that food shortage became even more pronounced in Panyangara sub-county,” Iriama said. He listed 11 sub-counties that he said required urgent attention. They included Nyakwae, Rengen, Kacheri, Kotido, Loyoro, Sidok, Kaabong, Kathile, Kapedo, Lolelia and Kalapata.Irima said people had turned to the sale of wood to raise money.The district agricultural officer, Charles Abele, said residents were forced to depend on food from Lira, Pader, Mbale and Soroti districts. Ends

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