UN blames famine on sale of food
Nov 18, 2009
THE unchecked sale of food is one of the factors that caused the recent shortage. Prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall patterns, which directly affected agricultural and livestock production worsened the situation, the UN food agency has said.
By Henry Mukasa
THE unchecked sale of food is one of the factors that caused the recent shortage. Prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall patterns, which directly affected agricultural and livestock production during the first season of 2009, only worsened the situation, the UN food agency has said.
“There were reports of food shortages due to unchecked sale of food in south-western, western, Elgon, Lango and West Nile regions,†the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said in a report.
“The ongoing quarantine of cattle to counter the spread of foot-and-mouth disease has significantly limited income from sales and reduced access to livestock products,†the report added.
The report was based on the integrated food security phase classification, which analyses access to food, malnutrition, death and displacement caused by starvation or famine.
The central and south-western regions, parts of the cattle corridor, were hit by water shortage which affected meat and milk production, said the report.
Prolonged dry spells and diseases hit the north and Karamoja, which led to poor crop harvests.
The report predicted that food security in central, south, western, eastern and Acholi regions would improve because the second season rains and cultivation are in progress.
The Elgon and Teso regions, added the report, need to be watched for flooding should El Nino rains intensity.
West Nile is not likely to see an improvement in food security situation unless production increases to counter the excessive food demand from Southern Sudan.
Residents of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Amuru are vulnerable because most of them are returnees from IDP camps.
The report described Karamoja region as having an acute food and livelihood crisis.
“If the trend continues, the population will experience a humanitarian emergency and femine. This could result into chronic poverty,†the report warned.
To maintain lives and prevent deterioration to humanitarian emergency situations, the report recommended continued emergency food programmes for populations in vulnerable areas. This includes food relief, work-for-food and cash-for-work.
The report forecasts that the food security situation in the country will become stable by January next year because of the on-set of rains if hazards like El Nino and hailstorms do not occur.
It also proposes support to communities with timely procurement and delivery of early maturing, drought tolerant seeds and planting material to help them make use of the rains.
The report recommended animal pest and disease control, control of the banana wilt and improved storage and extension services among agricultural communities.
An earlier report by the Office of the Prime Minister said about 52 districts countrywide were faced with food insecurity.
The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) distributing free maize, sorghum seeds, cassava cuttings and farming implements, including hand hoes and fertilisers, to the affected households, the report added.
THE unchecked sale of food is one of the factors that caused the recent shortage. Prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall patterns, which directly affected agricultural and livestock production during the first season of 2009, only worsened the situation, the UN food agency has said.
“There were reports of food shortages due to unchecked sale of food in south-western, western, Elgon, Lango and West Nile regions,†the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said in a report.
“The ongoing quarantine of cattle to counter the spread of foot-and-mouth disease has significantly limited income from sales and reduced access to livestock products,†the report added.
The report was based on the integrated food security phase classification, which analyses access to food, malnutrition, death and displacement caused by starvation or famine.
The central and south-western regions, parts of the cattle corridor, were hit by water shortage which affected meat and milk production, said the report.
Prolonged dry spells and diseases hit the north and Karamoja, which led to poor crop harvests.
The report predicted that food security in central, south, western, eastern and Acholi regions would improve because the second season rains and cultivation are in progress.
The Elgon and Teso regions, added the report, need to be watched for flooding should El Nino rains intensity.
West Nile is not likely to see an improvement in food security situation unless production increases to counter the excessive food demand from Southern Sudan.
Residents of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Amuru are vulnerable because most of them are returnees from IDP camps.
The report described Karamoja region as having an acute food and livelihood crisis.
“If the trend continues, the population will experience a humanitarian emergency and femine. This could result into chronic poverty,†the report warned.
To maintain lives and prevent deterioration to humanitarian emergency situations, the report recommended continued emergency food programmes for populations in vulnerable areas. This includes food relief, work-for-food and cash-for-work.
The report forecasts that the food security situation in the country will become stable by January next year because of the on-set of rains if hazards like El Nino and hailstorms do not occur.
It also proposes support to communities with timely procurement and delivery of early maturing, drought tolerant seeds and planting material to help them make use of the rains.
The report recommended animal pest and disease control, control of the banana wilt and improved storage and extension services among agricultural communities.
An earlier report by the Office of the Prime Minister said about 52 districts countrywide were faced with food insecurity.
The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) distributing free maize, sorghum seeds, cassava cuttings and farming implements, including hand hoes and fertilisers, to the affected households, the report added.