IDP Number Rises - WFP
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New Vision (Kampala)
April 23, 2004
Posted to the web April 23, 2004
Kampala
The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Uganda has tripled.
A World Food Programme (WFP) report has revealed that IDPs increased from 430,000 in
2002 to 1,560,000 in 2003.
The cause is attributed to the insurgency in northern Uganda.
"When the Sudanese government allowed Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) to flush
out the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) from their hideouts in the Sudanese hills, the
rebels retaliated by expanding their operations that were confined to Gulu, Kitgum,
Katakwi and Pader to Apac, Kaberamaido, Lira and Soroti," says the report.
The report says since July 2002, the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda had
continued to deteriorate because the IDPs couldn't practice agriculture and entirely
depended on donated food and funds.
According to the report, Gulu district has the highest number of IDPs amounting to
437,695 and are living in 33 out of the 55 camps.
Lira district follows with 312,068 IDPs, Kitgum with 256,197, Pader with 229,859,
Katakwi with 144,945, Kaberamaido with 107,560 and Soroti with 88,000.
WFP is reportedly the largest body utilising UN aid.
Relevant Links
East Africa
Uganda
Refugees and Displacement
Civil War and Communal Conflict
It is reported that in 2003, WFP used about 155, 928 metric tonnes to feed people in
all conflict areas
The United States, Japan and the European Commission also contributed.
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