World Food Program resumes distribution of flour in Karamoja

The UN World Food Program (WFP) has resumed distribution of Super Cereals plus-plus (CSB++) porridge flour to the malnourished mothers and children in Karamoja region.

The distribution of another consignment of flour started mid this week and the WFP team started by preparing porridge and ate it with locals, to confirm it was safe for human consumption.

Last month, WFP, the lead agency in fighting hunger in the famine-prone areas suspended the distribution of all nutritious porridge flour in the region after it emerged that their Super Cereal flour was poisonous.

This came after some of the 120 families that prepared porridge from the flour, developed health complications and were admitted to Alakas Health Centre II in Amudat District, with various symptoms including high fever and mental confusion. Similar cases were also reported in Napak District.

Four people died as a result of this, which forced the agency to suspend food distribution in the region until investigations were done.

A joint investigation force including officials from WFP, police and Ministry of Health was instituted to probe the possible food poisoning, but the outcomes are yet to be revealed.

Mr Mohamed Satti, the head of UN WFP program Karamoja field office confirmed they have resumed distributing another consignment of the porridge flour, saying this is different from what caused problems to the people in the region.

He said the Super Cereals plus-plus (CSB++) porridge flour under distribution was cleared by Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

“What we are distributing right now is Super Cereals plus-plus (CSB++) packed in a 1.5 kilorgam and it was cleared by the ministry of health here in Uganda, its different from Super Cereals plus blended which was packed in 25 kilogram and caused problems to People,” he said.