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Karimojong Elders Left to Starve

 

By Olandason Wanyama & Agencies Kampala, Allafrica.com

 

March 24, 2008

Uganda

The food shortage in Karamoja sub-region has reached crisis levels, which has prompted the able-bodied and the young to isolate the elderly and leave them to starve, Mr Musa Ecweru, the minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness has said.

"The entire Karamoja population of one million is food insecure. As of now, the old women and men have been isolated from younger ones because they are unable to fend for themselves," Mr Ecweru said. "The able bodied Karimojong say old people are useless and food should not be wasted on them," he said.

Briefing journalists on the situation in Karamoja in Kampala last Thursday after his recent visit to the region, Mr Ecweru said the situation is very bad.

He said people in the affected areas are using their physical strength to deprive others of food. Mr Ecweru also said the situation in Teso Sub- region especially among communities that were affected by floods last year was not any better.

Eastern and northern Uganda experienced heavy rains in July, August and September last year which resulted in severe floods in many areas. At the height of the floods, houses were submerged, infrastructure destroyed and about 80% of the crops were destroyed.

"Some of the roads are still bad," Mr Ecweru said. He also said another 500,000 people in Lango in the areas of Otuke were also facing serious hunger, but the govrnment was trying to help.


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