ROMOSH's PERSPECTIVE: The Signs Are Always There

“Didn’t anyone see this coming?” I hear people ask. “Famine which usually ends in chronic hunger does not happen in a flash, of course there were signs. The problem is that nothing about these,” says an observer.

The news that people are dying in Amuria, parts of Soroti and Katakwi, in Uganda, is hitting the airwaves with calls for speedy food distribution. Some observers say that the disaster preparedness experts in Uganda should have anticipated such a scenario as is unfolding in these three locations given that the rainy seasons had failed throughout 2008 and in 2009.

A development worker with an international NGO, Vibeke Quadde, says, “The situation is dire. The people are feeding on leaves and it is not unusual for them to eat only once in two or more days. What is even more shocking is that that the men sit and drink local brews most of the day – seemingly without a care in the world - as the women and children search for leaves. Sometimes the men leave some of their drink which the women dry, mix with the leaves they have been collecting so that the leaves become more palatable and then feed on this ‘meal’. Even more shocking is that there is a large food market only 40 km away. This is unreal”.

According to Reuters,"The days when climate change sparked excitement only among scientists and environmental campaigners are long gone. Now it's a topic of discussion at the UN Security Council". It seems that the links between climate change and food security and indeed other forms of security are becoming more evident. As climate continues to change the need for innovative ways to grow crops and rare animals will continue to increase. Some of the solutions, experts in agricultural practices say, will include irrigation and planting faster-maturing crops that can withstand harsh weather conditions and visionary leadership at all levels. The situation is even more dire for sick people. Without adequate food the health of some of the patients in hospitals and at home is deteriorating faster and many are dying of diseases that can be managed easily.

Hunger seems like a silent killer. Yet it is actually a not-so-silent terminator because the signs are always there. Some people may leave the security of their homes to seek food and water elsewhere. Would this be a case of climate refugees or internally displaced persons? move to other areas in search of I am calling for humanitarians everywhere to help provide food for the people of Amuria, Soroti and Katakwi.