Forced to migrate in search of food
Lopir Lode Ayepet was forced to make the daunting decision of leaving his home and family in search of food. Four consecutive failed rainy seasons has had a devastating impact on Lopir's livelihood, and his story is not dissimiliar to the millions of other people including older people across East Africa on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food and water.
East Africa Appeal
East Africa is experiencing its worst drought in decades and more than 20 million people are on the verge of starvation. Please help to provide lifesaving support to older people and their families.
Lopir arrived in a village where like many other places, the increased food scarcity had exarcebated violent clashes and lootings for food and resources. Lopir was severely injured in one of the violent raids carried out by a miltia group and his surviving livestock was stolen.
He tells us in his own powerful words about his experience and his fight to survive.
A severe drought forced us to migrate to this place far away from our land. I left my first wife and other relatives in Mogos without enough food. And my wife later died there. That has devastated me immensely.
My cattle was raided and looted by the Buya (miltia), and famine is here to stay now. I was wounded during the clashes and people carried me in a wooden stretcher for over 4 hours. The huge problem bothering me is the bullets wounds I sustained during the raids and lack of food.
Now there’s not enough food in this village.
Some relief food arrives occasionally but only a small amount and only registered people get this small amount. I have some friends who share food with me when their rations arrive. When the food is finished, people go out in the early morning to ask for food from neighboring villages, leaving me behind to starve.
My main challenge is the bullet wound and lack of food available. I am unable to work and I’m being fed by other people. I received food once (from a relief distribution) after I asked people to carry me in a wheelbarrow to the food distribution centre.
The hunger situation is compounded by the bullet wounds - all is just misery. Since last month, i've constantly been having sleepless nights.
I miss my friends back home in Mogos and my relatives. I have no cattle now after the raid. I wish that normal life could return and I have my cattle again. I used to cultivate my garden and grow food and enjoy my animals – I wish I could to return to this life!
I would be happy and running my kiosk in Mogos village, which is now gone, if the drought hadn’t forced me to migrate.
I hope my leg can be healed. Then I can walk once again and live a normal life.I would love to be supported by organisations (to receive food aid and support me to survive this drought.
Lack of rain in East Africa has killed nearly 1.5 million livestock, and is threatening a whole way of life and pushing more than 20 million towards starvation. Yet unlike Ukraine, the crisis has seen little media attention. We are urging our surpporters and the global community to take action.
You can support those affected like Lopir by donating to our East Africa Hunger Appeal today.
East Africa Appeal
East Africa is experiencing its worst drought in decades and more than 20 million people are on the verge of starvation. Please help to provide lifesaving support to older people and their families.
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