The Ugandan government and the UN World Food Program (WFP) on Monday launched a 64 million U. S. dollar emergency operation here where over 970,000 people are at risk of starvation.
The package will be used to purchase 89,000 metric tonnes of food for the hunger-stricken people who have now turned to the old survival techniques of eating wild fruits, leaves, and rodents.
"This operation will save lives at a critical time in Karamoja (northeastern Uganda)," said Stanlake Samkange WFP Country Director while unveiling the nine-month program.
Musa Ecweru, minister of state for disaster preparedness and relief, described the intervention as very critical in order to avoid the crisis slipping into a famine, which will then lead to death of people in large numbers.
"We have to ensure that we do not allow people of this region to die of hunger," he said, adding that government is giving the semi-arid area special attention.
"Insecurity in the region has greatly undermined our capacity to deliver services and to develop the region. But with the return of law and order, the government and WFP are determined to support the Karimojong through this food crisis," he said.