Richard Otim
Moroto - At least 15 people have been reported dead from hunger in Moroto District in the last three months, the LC5 chairperson, Mr Peter Ken Lochap has said.
He said Nawaikorot village in Ngoleriet Sub-county, Bokoro County had particularly been affected by this year's poor harvest of crops that has cast a big shadow of a looming famine on the populace of Karamoja.
"We have begun receiving reports of deaths resulting from hunger and so far 15 have been brought to my attention. I have told my people in the district to use what (food) they have in the granaries sparingly but there is also need for relief support," Mr Lochap said.
He was recently giving a food-status of the district to a team of officials from the World Food Programme who had called on him at his office.
Mr Lochap said women, children and the elderly who normally remain at the homesteads as the youths and strong men wonder with cattle in search of water and pasture had particluarly been affected by the food shortage.
"The harvest last year did not favour our people. We are calling for an immediate intervention," Mr Lochap said.
Moroto Chief Admnistrative Officer Moses Ekapolon said the poor situation in the villages has pushed young girls to take on odd jobs that have adverse risks related to HIV/Aids.
"Others have moved to neighbouring districts and the Turkana region where relief food is currently being distributed," Mr Ekapolon said.
Authorities in the district called upon the UN food agency to consider providing youths in the region with "food for work" for sustenance of the families as they wait for the next harvest.
The State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr Musa Ecweru in an interview, told Daily Monitor that an estimated four million people across parts of the country affected by last year's floods are faced with the looming famine.
"The government is aware of the food situation in the country especialy in Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile. The matter is due for a decision in Parliament," Mr Ecweru said.
Mr Ecweru said in the meantime the government had dispatched some relief items to areas most affected.He said it would require the government over Shs60 billion to avert the famine.
