Moroto — About 254,000 students in Karamoja could drop out of school when World Food Programme (WFP) emergency operation ends in November, local leaders have said.

Moroto LC5 Chairperson, PeterKen Lochap, last week said: "Nobody will go to school. They will go to look for wild fruits to eat."

According to WFP Representative and Country Director, Stanlake Samkange, the end of the operation was timed to coincide with the October harvest season in the region.

Speaking during a field visit by the Department of International Development (DFID) Head of Mission, Samkangen said , WFP already has a shortfall of Shs53.3 billion ($26 million).

Moroto District Agricultural Officer, John Lodungokol, said: "Households are likely to run out of food stock at the end of this month," adding, "many households eat one meal a day."

Mr Lodungokol said there is need for food relief and cash for food to be provided in the affected sub-counties of Rupa, Nadunget, Lopeei and Katikekile among others until May 2010.

About 360,000 people in Moroto depend on WFP monthly for food relief, according to Head of Moroto WFP Sub Office, Bai Mankay Sankoh.

Mr Samkange said: "Now that the harvest looks terrible we have to ensure that the people get the support they need."

He urged the community in the region to embrace farming and carry out business.