KAMPALA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan government said late Friday that it had dispatched more than 3 million kg of food aid to people facing acute food insecurity in the northeastern region also known as Karamoja.
Esther Anyakun, State minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, said 2.2 million kg of maize flour and 1.1 million kg of beans will be distributed to at least 230,000 people on the verge of starvation.
"The region has faced a prolonged dry spell that affected food security, leaving behind a vulnerable population. For example, between June and August 2022, 25 percent of the population (about 315,000 people) experienced high levels of acute food insecurity," Anyakun said in a statement.
According to the minister, each of the affected persons will receive 10 kg of maize flour and 5 kg of beans to cover 20 days. More food will be distributed later.
She said weather experts had predicted the return of rains to support normal agricultural production during the March-May rainfall season and the agriculture ministry had already made plans to support farming activities.
"A food security and nutrition assessment with support from the UN is being conducted in Karamoja to inform the food security and nutrition status for the coming period," the minister said. ■