NAPAK: Vulnerable households affected by HIV in Napak District have received food relief as part of the ongoing response to the hunger crisis affecting communities across the Karamoja Sub-region.

The intervention is being implemented by the Church of Uganda in partnership with Rural Action Community Based Organization (RACOBAO), with support from ACT Alliance.

The food relief was flagged off this morning at the Karamoja Diocese Secretariat by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, in the presence of the Bishop of Karamoja Diocese, Rt Rev Michael Chorey; Bishop Emeritus Joseph Abura; Rev Andrew Agaba, Director of Household and Community Transformation at the Church of Uganda; political and civic leaders; and Ms Irene Anena, ACT Alliance Country Coordinator.

According to Mr Vincent Mayega, Programmes Manager at RACOBAO, the consignment comprises 17,500kgs of posho, 7,000kgs of beans, 700kgs of salt, 2,400kgs of fortified soya flour and 1,000kgs of silver fish.

Mr Mayega said the relief food will be distributed through HIV clinics in Napak District, a mechanism intended to ensure that the assistance reaches the targeted households.

The intervention is particularly aimed at supporting people affected by HIV who are facing increased vulnerability as a result of the prevailing food insecurity in the region.

The Napak distribution follows a similar exercise in Kotido District, North Karamoja Diocese, yesterday, where Archbishop Kaziimba flagged off 45,775kgs of posho, 45,775kgs of beans, 800kgs of soya beans and 400kgs of silver fish for distribution to vulnerable households.

The two interventions form part of the wider Church of Uganda humanitarian response to the hunger crisis in Karamoja, working with partners to provide immediate food assistance to some of the most affected communities.