US Mission Uganda Supports over 4000 pregnant and lactating mothers in Karamoja

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Emergency Food Vouchers to be issued by Mercy Corps

By Timothy Eodu

The United States Mission in Uganda has extended support to 4500 pregnant and lactating mothers in the Karamoja sub region.

This was confirmed in their official twitter account @usmissionuganda on Friday 19 August 2022 morning.

The Tweet stated; “#Karamoja is facing a hunger crisis with thousands in dire need. With funds from @USAIDSavesLives, @mercycorps is organizing vouchers & fairs so 4,500 pregnant & lactating women can choose food options to meet calorie needs for themselves & their children. #foodsecurity.”

According to the tweet, the emergency food vouchers totaling to $55 will be issued to the beneficiaries so they can purchase food items able to sustain their families for up to 2 months.

Betty Nakong from Karenga displays emergency food vouchers totaling to $55 to buy food for over 2 months.

“Thanks to @USAIDSavesLives & @mercycorps , 4,500 families in #Karamoja will be able to feed their families through these vouchers that offset commodity prices. #Foodsecurity, the tweet added.”

As the hunger situation continues to be reported in Karamoja, a number of interventions by both government and development partners have been registered and targeting most in need persons.

Pregnant women and lactating mothers can’t be left out as statistics show that malnutrition remains a challenge as most people in Karamoja cannot afford a nutritious diet according to UNICEF.

The nutrient needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls are the most expensive to meet as 84% cannot afford a nutritious diet.
The same statistics reveals that 24% of teenagers in Karamoja have begun child bearing with 10% of the birth in less than 18 months which if coupled with the poor diets and inadequate feeding among women of reproductive age who need more iron during pregnancy, it is likely to cause under nutrition.

With this aid, the US Mission Uganda is expected to accelerate Uganda’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by contributing to SGD 2 (end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture); SDG 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages); and SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).