LET'S AVERT A LOOMING FAMINE IN TIANIA

Whereas the weatherman and other experts have told us to brace up for food shortages in the next few months due to the La Nina effect, I doubt whether food deficient communities such as my Tiania, have put any contingency measures yet to mitigate the likely disastrous effects on the many vulnerable people, particularly, in the lower marginal areas of Rwanda. However, I think that we still have some lead time which we could utilize to mobilize resources to enable us to stock up reasonable amounts of food nearer to the affected residents.
The months of November and December are well known food deficit months (Uruura) and due to the predictability of this occurrence, it's possible to stem the problem once and for all if we approach it positively with the necessary inputs. There is need for our two area MPs, Hon Peter Munya and Hon Kilemi Mwiria to get actively involved in any plans towards this end so as to give it the necessary political goodwill that it deserves. Any further procrastination on their part will only mean that we shall result to emergency response that may not get enough funding and continuity, to plan to make the area food secure in the near future.
The two constituencies of Tigania East and Tigania West have a combined budgetary annual allocation of KShs.120 million from the Constituency Development Fund with a component for emergency purposes. Now, if we used part of the funds available to set up a secretariat to mobilize resources for the imminent crises, I think that, it's also possible to expand its mandate to lay groundwork for future food production for a secure future. The secretariat will need to collect the necessary data through a baseline survey so as to quantify the needs of the vulnerable families and school children who may require to be fed at school starting in January 2011.
I know this is not an easy task but we need to get started to get our people out of the cyclical trap of famine and poverty. We are aware that maize is being harvested in Western  and the Rift Valley areas and if  measures are taken urgently, it is possible to secure it at good prices. Let's start mobilizing local resources and where necessary ask our friends wherever they may be to supplement our efforts. But most importantly, the time is of the essence now and a lot can be achieved to  help the most vulnerable before it reaches crises levels.