Kampala — AT least 346 Karimojong women and children have crossed into Pader district in search for food.

The district chairman, Peter Odok w'Ocheng, said on Friday that the Karimojong had settled in the sub-counties of Adilang, Lapono, Paimol and Parabongo, neighbouring Abim and Kotido districts.

"This time, they came not as cattle rustlers but as people who need our help." "The people at the border have welcomed them and are sharing with them the little food they have," Odok said.

He, however, feared for a likely famine in Pader because the people were catering for the starving Karimojong instead of storing their surplus.

He appealed to the Government and the World Food Programme to continue supplying food to the people in the areas where the Karimojong had settled.

The chairman expressed fear that the famine may tempt the Karimojong to begin steaing their cattle again.

It is estimated that over 700,000 people in the region are in dire need of food.

Karamoja has faced two consecutive years of crop failure and communities entirely depend on food supplies from humanitarian organisations.

Last week, the Uganda Red Cross Society launched a new programme where each household in Apeitolim, Lomaratoit and Nabwal resettlement camps would get farm implements and relief items to enable them produce their own food.

Over 10,000 Karimojong are expected to benefit from this programme.