Uganda has begun distributing emergency food aid across the drought-stricken Karamoja region after at least 19 people reportedly died from hunger and widespread crop failures pushed 1.5 million residents deeper into food insecurity. Parliament approved about $12 million in emergency funding to procure 9,400 metric tons of relief food, marking one of the government’s largest direct interventions as international humanitarian assistance declines. Officials say the relief effort will be complemented by long-term investments in drought-resistant crops and water infrastructure. The intervention provides immediate relief to communities facing hunger. Nevertheless, households remain exposed to recurring climate shocks and weak agricultural systems. The crisis shifts greater responsibility to Uganda’s government as international aid contracts, underscoring the need for lasting reforms that strengthen food security and climate resilience.
The Guardian