Mercy Corps Ear Marks $50 Million For Karamoja Poverty Alleviation Programme

Government Sends More Relief Food To Hunger Hit Karamoja

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news July 20, 2022

The government has sent 790 metric tons of relief food to Karamoja sub-region where people are on the brink of starvation.

Mr. Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees flagged off 552 of the total relief food sent. The 238 metric tonnes of beans at the Office of Prime Minister Stores in Namanve, Wakiso District yesterday.

“When we talk of Karamoja operations, it includes their neighborhood, which is also suffering. We are going to include some vulnerable people like children with nodding disease syndrome in areas of Kivu, parts Lamwo and Pader [districts],” Mr Onek said.

In the last 14 days, the government has sent relief food twice to the region, this being the second time. Last week it sent 2,000 metric tons of food to Karamoja.

According to Mr. Onek, the food is targeting more than half a million people in Kotido, Kaabong, Moroto, Napak, Karenga and Nabilatuk. These are the areas worst hit by the famine.

He blamed the hunger on the effects of climate change, cattle rustling and insecurities. He said the government budgeted for Shs135b for food in Karamoja for three months.

Apparently, the food is fortified with nutrients and vitamins that will help malnourished children.

“The government committed Shs135b to feed Karamoja for the next three months. With support from our partners, we shall work hard to see that we stop the death of our population because of hunger,” Mr Onek said.

The government however plans to develop a 10-year long-term disaster management plan. It will require about Shs 759b to solve the disaster issues in the country. He revealed that the country has received a donation of $26m.

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