Hunger is becoming a growing concern in parts of the northern district of Amuru after a hailstorm destroyed crops, killed livestock and left at least 10,000 people affected in an area recovering from a long dry spell.
"All my cassava crop was destroyed by the hailstorm... I tried to uproot the remaining cassava, which was left under the ground for re-planting, but it was rotten," Aero Nyero, a 68-year-old mother of six told IRIN.
According to Nyero, the hailstorm, which hit the villages of Kal, Pupwonya, Okidi, Pacilo and Parwaca in Atiak sub-county on 21 March, was the first in 32 years.
Most residents have been left with no source of food as they had been relying on the cassava crop to feed their families during the planting season. Fruit and vegetable crops were also destroyed and 22 goats were killed.
"Last year, we did not have a good harvest because of the long dry spell that destroyed groundnuts, beans, peas, millet, sorghum, maize, and sweet potatoes," Otto Komakech of Okidi village told IRIN. "Unless we are provided with seeds in time for the first rainy season, hunger is bound to strike."
According to local leaders, the affected villagers also need tarpaulins for shelter as most roofs were destroyed. "Eight households in my parish are sleeping in the open; 300 people have registered the loss of their cassava crops and livestock," Francis Opoka, Kal parish chief, said.
Four primary schools, a health centre and police post were among the facilities destroyed, said Atiak sub-county chairman, John Bosco Ocan.
The Ministry for Disaster Preparedness is assisting residents with food aid and will repair the damaged schools and health centre.
However, according to Minister Musa Ecweru, more food aid is required. "The situation is worrying, I delivered only 11 metric tonnes of food and yet over 10,000 people are affected."
Atiak has about 33,000 internally displaced persons and was one of the worst-affected areas during the conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Hundreds of civilians and students were massacred by LRA rebels in April 1995 in the area.
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"All my cassava crop was destroyed by the hailstorm... I tried to uproot the remaining cassava, which was left under the ground for re-planting, but it was rotten," Aero Nyero, a 68-year-old mother of six told IRIN.
According to Nyero, the hailstorm, which hit the villages of Kal, Pupwonya, Okidi, Pacilo and Parwaca in Atiak sub-county on 21 March, was the first in 32 years.
Most residents have been left with no source of food as they had been relying on the cassava crop to feed their families during the planting season. Fruit and vegetable crops were also destroyed and 22 goats were killed.
"Last year, we did not have a good harvest because of the long dry spell that destroyed groundnuts, beans, peas, millet, sorghum, maize, and sweet potatoes," Otto Komakech of Okidi village told IRIN. "Unless we are provided with seeds in time for the first rainy season, hunger is bound to strike."
According to local leaders, the affected villagers also need tarpaulins for shelter as most roofs were destroyed. "Eight households in my parish are sleeping in the open; 300 people have registered the loss of their cassava crops and livestock," Francis Opoka, Kal parish chief, said.
Four primary schools, a health centre and police post were among the facilities destroyed, said Atiak sub-county chairman, John Bosco Ocan.
The Ministry for Disaster Preparedness is assisting residents with food aid and will repair the damaged schools and health centre.
However, according to Minister Musa Ecweru, more food aid is required. "The situation is worrying, I delivered only 11 metric tonnes of food and yet over 10,000 people are affected."
Atiak has about 33,000 internally displaced persons and was one of the worst-affected areas during the conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Hundreds of civilians and students were massacred by LRA rebels in April 1995 in the area.
ca/aw/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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