Food Security Assessment Points to Insecurity in Uganda

Internally Displaced People Face Hunger New York, NY —

An overview of the food security situation among the 416,000 Internally Displaced Peoples in the war affected district of Gulu, northern Uganda.

Action Against Hunger USA has just carried out a food security assessment in the war affected district of Gulu, in northern Uganda. According to the World Food Program (WFP), over 416,000 people are internally displaced in the area, i.e. 89% of the total population.

Food Security Assessment, Gulu IDP Camps, Uganda [653KB]

Summary of Findings

The main findings and recommendations of this report are:

• Plot sizes for agriculture are being reduced - the average household plot size was only 1.25 acres (.51ha) in 2003 vs. 2.2 acres (.9ha) in 2002
• Estimated average incomes have been reduced from US $465 in 1999 to $120 in 2003. At the same time household expenditures for food are increasing.
• The seasonal hunger gap has increased to three months.
• Food stocks are highly vulnerable to post-harvest losses, contamination, and looting.

If the situation continues in this manner the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) are at risk for the following:

• Increased malnutrition especially for the population of children under-five years of age
• Seed sources may become insecure

If such insecurity persists, the following steps will be required:

• WFP food rations will have to be maintained at a 100% level
• Distribution of maize meal instead of whole grain maize
• Regular monitoring of nutrition and food security situation
• Reduction of necessary household expenditures
• Increased involvement in food security outside of distribution

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year.

Press Contact

Action Against Hunger - USA

James L. Phelan
Senior External Relations Officer, ACF-USA
Contact James Phelan
Direct: 212-967-7800 x108
Cell: 646-265-7796

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