UK donates sh20b to Karamoja
Aug 12, 2009
The UK yesterday announced a donation of sh20b to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support emergency operations in Karamoja.
By Barbara Among
The UK yesterday announced a donation of sh20b to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support emergency operations in Karamoja.
According to a press statement, the money will support the provision of food to over one million people in the region.
The department said the donation was in response to predictions that Karamoja is likely to experience another failed harvest this year.
“A swift response is required to keep the rates of malnutrition at acceptable levels and to minimise the number of deaths,†the head of the department, Jane Rintoul, said, adding that the funds would ensure a steady supply of food.
Part of the donation will be used to buy food through the warehouse receipt system to assist small farmer groups to sell their produce, Rintoul said.
Karamoja has over the years been affected by famine due to prolonged droughts.
The organisation said Karamoja needed a long-term strategy to address the causes of the prolonged famine.
“Until the area becomes the focus of a concerted long-term development effort, it will continue to be susceptible to shocks, which rapidly bring it to the brink of a humanitarian crisis,†Rintoul cautioned.
WFP country director Stanlake Samkange said the money would sustain the emergency operations for only another month.
“Malnutrition can take just days to claim the life of a young child,†Samkange said.
“Donor support and government efforts are therefore critical in helping us save lives.â€
Samkange said an earlier donation of about sh8.6b, enabled WFP to reduce the malnutrition rates in Moroto and Kotido districts.
However, a nutrition and health survey done in April revealed that malnutrition rates that were at acceptable levels in September 2008 in Kaabong and Nakapiripirit districts had risen above the threshold.
This worrying trend is blamed on food insecurity, poor sanitation and child care practices.
UK’s support to the WFP for Karamoja totals to sh60b since 2008.
Teso region is also facing acute food shortage and experts warned that other parts of the country would soon face the same problem.
The UK yesterday announced a donation of sh20b to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support emergency operations in Karamoja.
According to a press statement, the money will support the provision of food to over one million people in the region.
The department said the donation was in response to predictions that Karamoja is likely to experience another failed harvest this year.
“A swift response is required to keep the rates of malnutrition at acceptable levels and to minimise the number of deaths,†the head of the department, Jane Rintoul, said, adding that the funds would ensure a steady supply of food.
Part of the donation will be used to buy food through the warehouse receipt system to assist small farmer groups to sell their produce, Rintoul said.
Karamoja has over the years been affected by famine due to prolonged droughts.
The organisation said Karamoja needed a long-term strategy to address the causes of the prolonged famine.
“Until the area becomes the focus of a concerted long-term development effort, it will continue to be susceptible to shocks, which rapidly bring it to the brink of a humanitarian crisis,†Rintoul cautioned.
WFP country director Stanlake Samkange said the money would sustain the emergency operations for only another month.
“Malnutrition can take just days to claim the life of a young child,†Samkange said.
“Donor support and government efforts are therefore critical in helping us save lives.â€
Samkange said an earlier donation of about sh8.6b, enabled WFP to reduce the malnutrition rates in Moroto and Kotido districts.
However, a nutrition and health survey done in April revealed that malnutrition rates that were at acceptable levels in September 2008 in Kaabong and Nakapiripirit districts had risen above the threshold.
This worrying trend is blamed on food insecurity, poor sanitation and child care practices.
UK’s support to the WFP for Karamoja totals to sh60b since 2008.
Teso region is also facing acute food shortage and experts warned that other parts of the country would soon face the same problem.