Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | More than 50 aid agencies have called for an urgent and substantial increase in funding and leadership to respond to the humanitarian catastrophe facing millions in eastern Africa due to the severe drought, warning that further delays will cost lives. The agencies including Save the Children, …
Read More »Horn of Africa hunger could soar to 20 mln by year end: UN
United Nations | Xinhua | Drought and Ukraine conflict fallout could increase hunger in the Horn of Africa from 14 million people to 20 million by year’s end, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday. Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the hardest-hit countries face increasing hunger …
Read More »Turkana pastoralists lose 600 cattle to drought in one week
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Turkana pastoralists have lost 600 heads of cattle within one week after being flashed out of Karamoja region by the joint security forces following the killing of three Ugandan geologists and two soldiers in Moroto district last month. The three geologists and UPDF soldiers were …
Read More »FAO appeals for 130 mln USD for drought-hit East Africa
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Friday appealed for 14.77 billion shillings (about 130 million U.S. dollars) to provide time-critical assistance to highly vulnerable communities in drought-hit regions of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. FAO warned that an extended, multi-season drought is …
Read More »13 million people facing hunger across Horn of Africa: WFP
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday warned that an estimated 13 million people are facing hunger across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, as the Horn of Africa grappled with severe drought caused by the driest conditions since 1981. Tomson Phiri, spokesperson for the WFP, told a …
Read More »COP26: Ugandan youth call on global leaders to stop ’empty talk’
Kampala, Uganda | Ronald Musoke | Ugandan youth have been among the strongest voices calling for urgent global action to address climate change. Many whom The Independent has talked to say when the 26th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) opens in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct.31, they will be watching …
Read More »Matooke prices shoot up in Luwero district
Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Prices for matooke, a staple food for people in Luwero town council have increased over drought and hailstorms that have destroyed plantations. A bunch of matooke that has been selling for 5000 shillings now costs 15,000 shillings. A bunch that has been selling at shillings …
Read More »Weather disasters increase five-fold in 50 years: WMO report
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The number of weather-related disasters has increased by five times over the past 50 years, the latest report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday. However, thanks to improved early warning systems and disaster management, the number of deaths from these hazards has been …
Read More »Teso leaders seek gov’t intervention on looming hunger
Ngora, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | District chairpersons across the Teso sub region have raised concern over the state of food insecurity in the region. The leaders want urgent intervention from the government following the long dry spell that has ravaged crops. The region didn’t receive adequate rain spanning over five …
Read More »Drought kills over 200 cows in Bunyoro
Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least 200 cows have died in Bunyoro sub-region between April and August this year due to shortage of water and pasture resulting from drought. Livestock farmers in Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Kiryandongo and Kikuube districts have been struggling to look for pasture and water for …
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