News of Floods in Kasese
See below for news stories, photos and video of Karusandara villager describing flooding, in local language. in Kasese, particularly Godfrey Kasozi's home village, Karusandara. The third year of flooding due to rivers overflowing from flash floods, and environmental damage higher up in neighboring Rwenzori mountains.
Donations of funding are requested for food, materials and medicines.
We have a Santa Cruz nonprofit organization who is looking into receiving donations for flood assistance
Thank you so much for being "a friend in need" to be "a friend indeed."
April 21, 2016
Message from Godfrey to recent donors for flood emergency:
Dear friends,
Am writing to appreciate on behalf of CETRUD the assistance you sent through me that that was delivered to the committee set by the sub-county to help the victims of floods that have affected many families.
The [record of] total money collected and the expenditure will be sent to you all by the treasure of the committee on Saturday after our Friday when we have and the meeting of analyzing of the current situation....
People lost all their plants crops , houses , banana plantations , fruits animals , etc now there is an out break of malaria due to Mosquitos in the water from floods and people are still living in the tents and others at CETRUD offices
We are working ways on how we can give the 30 acres of land to the people who lost all what they have to be able to plants maize and beans and other crops. But we have no funds yet even to buy seeds or even tools.
We have appealed to government...Your assistance to the people of Karusandara Kasese had proved to the people that you are real friends of ours.
Thank you so much
Godfrey D Kasozi, CETRUD
Donations of funding are requested for food, materials and medicines.
We have a Santa Cruz nonprofit organization who is looking into receiving donations for flood assistance
Thank you so much for being "a friend in need" to be "a friend indeed."
April 21, 2016
Message from Godfrey to recent donors for flood emergency:
Dear friends,
Am writing to appreciate on behalf of CETRUD the assistance you sent through me that that was delivered to the committee set by the sub-county to help the victims of floods that have affected many families.
The [record of] total money collected and the expenditure will be sent to you all by the treasure of the committee on Saturday after our Friday when we have and the meeting of analyzing of the current situation....
People lost all their plants crops , houses , banana plantations , fruits animals , etc now there is an out break of malaria due to Mosquitos in the water from floods and people are still living in the tents and others at CETRUD offices
We are working ways on how we can give the 30 acres of land to the people who lost all what they have to be able to plants maize and beans and other crops. But we have no funds yet even to buy seeds or even tools.
We have appealed to government...Your assistance to the people of Karusandara Kasese had proved to the people that you are real friends of ours.
Thank you so much
Godfrey D Kasozi, CETRUD
April 15, Friday 2016
Message from Godfrey: "The water is increasing instead of coming down so it is affecting more people even it is now reaching our new CETRUD farm It is likely to destroy our fish pond and some part of the banana and maize planted"
It is the third year of flooding due to rivers overflowing from flash floods, and environmental damage higher up in neighboring Rwenzori mountains.
DONATION INFO: Save the Children has already donated some tents. Donations of funding are requested for food, materials and medicines.
At this time we cannot accept nonprofit donations through Sister Cities, but would be glad to hear suggestions for a suitable alternate nonprofit that could accept tax-deductible donations.
Meanwhile, those who wish to contribute immediately for flood relief can send donations directly to Godfrey Kasozi via Western Union. Thank you so much for being "a friend in need" to be "a friend indeed."
Click HERE for video interview by Godfrey of a Karusandara local talking in local language about floods >>>
Below are recent articles from reporter Joel Kaguta, reporter for two Kasese area news media and a video, photos and letter from Godfrey Kasozi.
Message from Godfrey: "The water is increasing instead of coming down so it is affecting more people even it is now reaching our new CETRUD farm It is likely to destroy our fish pond and some part of the banana and maize planted"
It is the third year of flooding due to rivers overflowing from flash floods, and environmental damage higher up in neighboring Rwenzori mountains.
DONATION INFO: Save the Children has already donated some tents. Donations of funding are requested for food, materials and medicines.
At this time we cannot accept nonprofit donations through Sister Cities, but would be glad to hear suggestions for a suitable alternate nonprofit that could accept tax-deductible donations.
Meanwhile, those who wish to contribute immediately for flood relief can send donations directly to Godfrey Kasozi via Western Union. Thank you so much for being "a friend in need" to be "a friend indeed."
Click HERE for video interview by Godfrey of a Karusandara local talking in local language about floods >>>
Below are recent articles from reporter Joel Kaguta, reporter for two Kasese area news media and a video, photos and letter from Godfrey Kasozi.
April 13, 2016
Floods displace 60 homesteads in Kasese district
by reporter Joel Kaguta in Kasese
At least 62 homesteads in Kasese district have been displaced following the floods that hit Kanyabyoyo and Kyalanga villages of Karusandara sub-county.
The displaced rsidents are living under erected makeshifts at designated places in Karusandara and were sponsored by Save the children international.
The project officer for Disaster Risk Response with Save the Children Kasese branch, Vian Musika told this reporter that they swiftly intervene into the matter people’s houses had been submerged by waters due to the devastating floods.
The floods followed a half-day heavy down pour causing River Mukuku and Ssebwe to over flood bursting through their banks.
The Chairperson Karusandara sub-county Ezra Turyahebwa confirmed that several families in excess of 20 had been affected adding that the area authorities were compiling detailed data about the problem in the area.
“Many places in this [Karusandara] sub-county are prone to floods and every rain season we experience flooding and with the poor road network, most of our farmers cannot ferry their produce to markets whenever it rains”, Turyahebwa said.
Yozefina Kato 70 years said that she was residing in the makeshift with her seven grandsons and her husband but complained the temporary house is small.
Kato with deep emotions said that her house was full of water on the fate day and said that it now stinking because of the debris that was eroded by the floods.
She asked anyone to intervene into the situation with help.
The incident has rekindled the memories of the May 2013 catastrophic floods that hit various parts of Kasese district during which at least 10 people died and both private and public properties worth billions of shillings destroyed.
A number of villages along the Nyamwamba river especially Kanyaruboga, Katiri and the Kilembe Hospital Nurses village were eroded and are no more as Bridges across some of the rivers collapsed and not yet reconstructed to date.
The residents in the areas that were most affected and particularly along the Nyamwamba River valley in Kasese Municipality are currently living in panic whenever it rains.
Kasese District Environment Officer, Augustine Koli, earlier advised the people living along River Nyamwamba and others in the district to stop destroying the vegetation along the river banks.
“Much of the flood problem in some parts of Kasese has been caused by people’s adamancy to heed to advice. We have told them to stop cutting down trees and the natural vegetation along the river banks but they cannot listen”, Koli said.
The district has also formulated Bye-Laws on top of government policies aimed at conserving the environment and the remaining option was to arrest the people who violating the Law, Koli said.
ENDS.
April 13, 2016
Sun Scorches Crops in Kasese
By reporter Joel Kaguta
Kasese
Farmers in Kasese district have decried over the continued disastrous heavy down pour living many farmers in misery.
The farmers also complained that they failed to engage in the early planting season because of the dry spells living them with no means to plant early.
However, the weather patterns seems to have changed, it could rain in early January in the past to prepare farmers for the March season but these days farmers are forced to plant towards the end of the month, Kasese district farmers officer, Julius Rukara stressed.
Rukara advised farmers to at least wait for three down pours before they attempt to plant as the season sets in.
He also said that they should plant in line to yield heavily at the end of the season.
Last year, most farmers in Mubuku complained that sun scorched the crops affecting their harvest.
The most affected crops include beans, maize, tomatoes, coffee and rice.
But others crops like banana plantations, cassava were also destroyed by heavy storm and blowing houses in many parts of Kasese district.
Getreda Mambos a farmer in Kirembe village in central Division Kasese Municipality told this reporter that she was worried that all her crops would be destroyed if it continues raining.
ENDS.
April 10, 2016
Letter from Godfrey Kasozi
Dear Friends,
We have been hit by floods again in Karusandara. it is like the whole village is flooding , people's gardens , houses ,have been taken. People are homeless, no food, some families are already coming to CETRUD centre office and we are offering where to stay. This has come early. The need for help for food , tents , source pans, clothing and even medicine is very high. Please we are speaking to friends again for help.
When a problem happens every one runs to us for help , we give what we have and what we do not have we ask, from others...Immediately after the floods I went to Government with a letter I took them around to see the damages ...
. It is now five days people lost all their gardens of bananas, maize , beans and other many crops...
We are moving to sustainability that we shall be able to generate income from coffee and other crops in the year 2017 from the new land you visited that does not flood.
Yours truly, Godfrey D Kasozi
----------------------------
April 9, 2016
By Joel Kaguta
Rain scares farmers in Kasese
Kasese
KaseseFollowing the memories of more than two years after the catastrophic May 2013 floods that ravaged Kasese, a section of residents in the district again are scared after seeing a repeat of the incident.
The residents in the areas that were most affected and particularly along the Nyamwamba River valley in Kasese Municipality are now living in panic whenever it rains.
They are afraid of a repeat of what happened in May 2013 and 2014 when River Nyamwamba burst its banks causing devastating floods. Over ten people died in the incident and property both private and public worth billions of shilling got destroyed.
Some villages, Kanyaruboga, Katiri and the Kilembe Hospital Nurses village were eroded and bridges on some rivers all collapsed.
People especially farmers and those operating their businesses along in the valley of in the valley of Kasese Municipality are living in uncertainty as the current rain season starts on Mount Rwenzori, the catchment area for many rivers in Kasese district that include River Nyamwamba.
Morris Mulhwalhuma called on government to implement the promises made after the May 2013 floods especially de-silting of Nyamwamba river bed and installing an early warning system.
Mulhwalhuma actually testified that whenever he sees a dark cloud hanging over the mountains, his heart hang in balance not knowing what may happen next.
The plant Manager, Tibet Hima Company Limited, Alex Kwatampora predicted that with the current trend of raining especially in the mountains, floods were obvious in the month of May.
However, Kwatampora said that Tibet Hima Company Ltd. had procured two heavy and duty Excavators which had started rechanneling the River to its former bed before the May 2013 flooding asking government to fulfill its pledge of installing an Early Warning Alarm system to alert the people in advance about impeding floods.
About the delay to mitigate the intermittent flood problem caused by every season, the Mayor Kasese Municipality, Godfrey Kabyanga, said that some materials that include Gabions that were supposed to be used in preventing River Nyamwamba from causing destructive floods had been ordered from outside the country.
Kasese District Environment Officer, Augustine Koli, earlier advised the people living along River Nyamwamba and others in the district to stop destroying the vegetation along the river banks.
Uganda National Meteorological Authority and the World Meteorological Organization have all predicted with a 95% certainty and confirmed that Uganda like the other East African Countries will experience a massive El Niño episode from late October 2015 to February 2016.
ENDS.
Letter from Godfrey Kasozi
Dear Friends,
We have been hit by floods again in Karusandara. it is like the whole village is flooding , people's gardens , houses ,have been taken. People are homeless, no food, some families are already coming to CETRUD centre office and we are offering where to stay. This has come early. The need for help for food , tents , source pans, clothing and even medicine is very high. Please we are speaking to friends again for help.
When a problem happens every one runs to us for help , we give what we have and what we do not have we ask, from others...Immediately after the floods I went to Government with a letter I took them around to see the damages ...
. It is now five days people lost all their gardens of bananas, maize , beans and other many crops...
We are moving to sustainability that we shall be able to generate income from coffee and other crops in the year 2017 from the new land you visited that does not flood.
Yours truly, Godfrey D Kasozi
----------------------------
April 9, 2016
By Joel Kaguta
Rain scares farmers in Kasese
Kasese
KaseseFollowing the memories of more than two years after the catastrophic May 2013 floods that ravaged Kasese, a section of residents in the district again are scared after seeing a repeat of the incident.
The residents in the areas that were most affected and particularly along the Nyamwamba River valley in Kasese Municipality are now living in panic whenever it rains.
They are afraid of a repeat of what happened in May 2013 and 2014 when River Nyamwamba burst its banks causing devastating floods. Over ten people died in the incident and property both private and public worth billions of shilling got destroyed.
Some villages, Kanyaruboga, Katiri and the Kilembe Hospital Nurses village were eroded and bridges on some rivers all collapsed.
People especially farmers and those operating their businesses along in the valley of in the valley of Kasese Municipality are living in uncertainty as the current rain season starts on Mount Rwenzori, the catchment area for many rivers in Kasese district that include River Nyamwamba.
Morris Mulhwalhuma called on government to implement the promises made after the May 2013 floods especially de-silting of Nyamwamba river bed and installing an early warning system.
Mulhwalhuma actually testified that whenever he sees a dark cloud hanging over the mountains, his heart hang in balance not knowing what may happen next.
The plant Manager, Tibet Hima Company Limited, Alex Kwatampora predicted that with the current trend of raining especially in the mountains, floods were obvious in the month of May.
However, Kwatampora said that Tibet Hima Company Ltd. had procured two heavy and duty Excavators which had started rechanneling the River to its former bed before the May 2013 flooding asking government to fulfill its pledge of installing an Early Warning Alarm system to alert the people in advance about impeding floods.
About the delay to mitigate the intermittent flood problem caused by every season, the Mayor Kasese Municipality, Godfrey Kabyanga, said that some materials that include Gabions that were supposed to be used in preventing River Nyamwamba from causing destructive floods had been ordered from outside the country.
Kasese District Environment Officer, Augustine Koli, earlier advised the people living along River Nyamwamba and others in the district to stop destroying the vegetation along the river banks.
Uganda National Meteorological Authority and the World Meteorological Organization have all predicted with a 95% certainty and confirmed that Uganda like the other East African Countries will experience a massive El Niño episode from late October 2015 to February 2016.
ENDS.
==================
April 9, 2016
By Joel Kaguta
Uganda Kings Forum delegation visits Rwenzururu King.
Kasese
A high profile delegation from the Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum [UKCLF] has appealed to the government to reinstate UPDF guard of the Rwenzururu King to guarantee his security.
Government had withdrawn the UPDF soldiers guarding King Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma after last Sunday bloody incident in which four people were killed including two soldiers.
The delegation led by Isebaruuli Mwatyanzozi Mwogezi Butantanya, King of Buruuli who Chairs the forum made the appeal during their curtsey call on Iremangoma his Royal Palace, in Kasese town.
The delegation conveyed the Forum’s sympathies to the Rwenzururu King and the people in the Rwenzori sub-region over the bloody incidents that have occurred in the last two months.
After an hour of a closed meeting with the Omusinga the delegation that included the Secretary General of the Forum, George Kyaligonza, observed that the Omusinga was not part of the people said to be advocating for creation of a Yira state.
============================================
May 2015
Kasese has been struck with a second year of flooding, even worse results than the May 2013 floods.
July 4, 2015
... Wish was there to enjoy your holiday. We shall be very happy to receive you in Kasese. Indeed we went through another terrible flood that caused a much bigger damage. We shall send you some photos. I am out of Kasese at the moment. Will get back to you when I am back to Kasese.
--Mayor Godfrey BK Kabbyanga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfvc_PJExZY
Published on May 13, 2014
The aftermath of the floods that devastated Kasese municipality are being felt by medical workers who have to treat a huge number of patients who cannot afford to pay for the medical services. Sudhir Byaruhanga visited some of the health centre's in Kasese to get to grips with the scale of the problem.
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May 8, 2014
Three rivers Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Mubuku in Kasese have burst their banks following heavy rains causing floods. An elderly woman and a baby are among two people who died in a stampede at Kilembe Mines Hospital, as patients fled the flooded hospital on Thursday morning.
A total of 195 patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital have been evacuated to other government facilities, Dr Peter Mukobi, the district health officer told New Vision.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655366-kasese-floods-2-dead-195-evacuated.html
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Thanks to donations through Santa Cruz Sister Cities for flood relief for nurses uniforms--the hospital's nurses quarters were destroyed in the flood.
Other worthy causes supported this past year with our Kasese friends
- sending orphaned children to school with CETRUD,
- helping street kids (a new Mayor’s initiative)
- Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotaryand Kasese Rotary building water pipes bringing clean water to 90 people.
Pack your National Geographic camera for your adventure of a lifetime.
Kasese Flood Disaster Relief Progress
Starting May 1, 2013, Kasese area had its worst flooding in decades. Sentinel Newspaper article (or google "Kasese floods") Uganda Red Cross reports 25,455 people affected. Hospital, homes and bridges destroyed.
Santa Cruz Sister Cities raised $1,700 for flood relief.
- $1,821 to CETRUD to restore destroyed farm property and emergency needs.
- $378 to Kasese municipality to buy nurses uniforms ($2,318 needed)
-- Sent $813 to Kasese Rotary for flood relief.
-- Raised $1,200 in October from their first annual "Changing Wine into Water" Wine Tasting Fundraiser in Fall 2013 for a Kasese water pipe project bringing clean water to 90 people in Luhwahwa village, part of the Kasese Rotary Model Village project.
DONATIONS still accepted for CETRUD or Mayor's fund for children through Santa Cruz Sister Cities Online (PayPal fee deducted)
OR by check, payable to "SCSCS" memo for one of these:
--"Kasese Flood Relief"
--"CETRUD" (flood relief, childrens' School Fees, etc.)
--"Mayor's Children fund"mail check to:
Carol Scurich, Santa Cruz Sister Cities
323 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
25,455 Kasese people thank you great friends who donated!
Press Release May 10, 2013
Click HERE to download Press Release in pdf format
(email Peggy for Word Doc, sorry I can't seem to upload it to this website!)
Peggy Pollard, Santa Cruz Sister City Committee
Kasese, Uganda subcommittee
[email protected] (831) 239-3429
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=712
Facebook: Friends of Kasese, Uganda - Santa Cruz, California Sister Cities https://www.facebook.com/KaseseSantaCruz
Floods displace 25,445 people Kasese, Uganda
10 lives lost so far in Santa Cruz’s newest Sister City
Major flash floods from heavy rain and overflowing rivers is now displacing more than 25,445 people in Kasese , Uganda—Santa Cruz’s newest Sister City (now in a 2-year trial “Friendship City” phase).
UCSC “Farm” alumni, Godfrey Kasozi is a Kasese education center leader. He did a UCSC CASFS internship in 1999 and teaches organic farming to 2,000 farmers a year in Kasese.
Kasozi's home village of Karusandara is one of the worst hit places in the current floods. Kasozi now has many flood victims evacuated onto his CETRUD education center and is working to procure food and refuge for them.
Kasese mayor and other local Kasese leaders have emailed us this week (below) describing the disaster and their needs.
As international news reports are being published daily, rains continue
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Donate Now
Santa Cruz Sister Cities is now collecting flood disaster relief donations to sent to Kasese for food, and basic flood relief supplies. Tax deductible donations for Kasese Flood relief can be made through Santa Cruz Sister Cities Support Account
Online donations http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=712 and email [email protected] and [email protected] to designate to Kasese Flood relief and give receipt information
Checks should be payable to " SCSCS" With “Kasese flood relief “ in memo line. Mail to Nancy Eidam.701 High Street, Santa Cruz Ca 95060.
2013 Flood News Click HERE to read Santa Cruz Sentinel Newspaper story published May 15/16, 2013
Published on May 6, 2013
Kasese Flood Update: 8 dead, Gov't to divert flood stream
ntvuganda·8,339 videos 19,903 450 views http://ntvuganda.co.ug/
The death toll stands at 8 as residents of Kasese district continue to feel the impact of the heavy floods that have left many homeless
Heavy trucks blocked on Kasese-Fortportal route ntvuganda·60 views
Posted Tuesday, May 7 2013 at 16:14
In Summary
The displaced people camped at Kasese Primary School.
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Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Tuesday launched an appeal to mobilise Shs1.8 billion that would be used to help more than 18,000 victims of the Kasese floods.
Last week, River Nyamwamba burst its banks and triggered floods killing six people and displacing about 3,000 residents.
The displaced people camped at Kasese Primary School.
According Mr Michael Richard Nataka, the URCS secretary general, the money would be used to cater for both material and psychosocial needs of the victims.
“The funds will cater for the provision tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items and to revive victims’ livelihoods through provision of items like seeds,” Mr Nataka said.
He said URCS in touch with the Office of the Prime Minister and district leaders to ensure that the victims of are resettled.
[email protected]
Tuesday, 07 May 2013 22:51
The Observer
Kasese recovers after the flood News
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25161:kasese-recovers-after-the-flood-&catid=34:news&Itemid=114
Written by MOSES TALEMWA & JEFF KIIZA
1 Comments
Almost a week after the river Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded most of Kasese, the recovery process is now underway, with the police and army trying to evacuate those who are still stranded.
According to Kasese’s fire officer, Amos Tukamuhabwa, the death toll yesterday stood at 10. Four people drowned in Kilembe, while other bodies were found downstream in Bulembya.
“We suspect that some other bodies may be buried in the rubble; so, we are looking out for them, but for now we are concentrating on recovery,” Tukamuhabwa said.
He explained that he had also heard of other deaths of victims in hospitals after they sustained injuries in the floods, although he could not divulge how many. Tukamuhabwa added that the police and army were also involved in a massive cleanup of Kilembe hospital.
“We are cleaning the hospital of silt, rocks and mud that had settled there [after the flood] and we hope that we can reopen the outpatients ward before the end of the week,” he said.
Tukamuhabwa indicated that authorities there had feared that with over 1,800 people displaced, they would have to set up camps for the internally displaced. Remarkably, Kasese residents have taken in most of the victims.
However, over the weekend, Kasese Mayor Godfrey Kabyanga toured flood-prone areas and urged those still staying there to leave immediately. He urged all those vacating their homes to gather in two key areas, Spire-1 Boma and Kasese primary school, where the Red Cross and other volunteers were distributing assistance.
Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma visited Kilembe and Kasese on Friday, commiserating with those who had been affected by the floods. Iremangoma toured Kilembe mines premises and Kanyaruboga accompanied by Queen Agnes Ithungu. They were guided through the water-logged Kyanjuki road by Kasese Mayor Godfrey Kabyanga and a number of kingdom ministers.
Recovery process Addressing the public at Bulembia primary school, the Iremangoma regretted the disaster and appealed to the central government to support the victims. He equated this disaster to an earlier one in 1965 although the death toll was over 100 then. He warned against corruption and mischief during the recovery process. On Monday, the Uganda National Roads Authority deployed a team to repair all the broken bridges and reinforce those that were still standing.
Indeed, several bulldozers and earth-moving equipment are in the area, engaged in road works. According to Works Minister John Byabagambi, this work would last two months.
The road connecting Kasese to Fort Portal has also been reopened after the waters receded at Nyakasanga. However, with more rains on Monday, River Mubuku also burst its banks, increasing the tension in the area.
Access to safe water is a big problem. With some of the flood water going through the mine, the Nyamwamba river water is reportedly unsafe for drinking; so the police have deployed their fire hydrant trucks to supply water to Kasese residents.
“It is a tough task, as we have to keep collecting this water from Hima Cement, some 25km away and bring it to Kasese for the residents to use,” Tukamuhabwa said.
The minister of state for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, also visited Kasese on Friday and warned of a possible cholera outbreak in some parts of district due to the floods.
The minster, who was shocked at the damage in Bulembia division and Karusandara sub-county, assured the locals that the government would ensure everybody got relief and also called on humanitarian non government organizations to support the relief effort.
Later in the day the District Disaster Management committee explained that most of the victims had lost substantial property. District Vice Chairperson Tadeo Muhindo told a press conference at Kasese municipal hall that over thirty households had been displaced in Karusandara, and most of these had lost their properties, crops and domestic animals like cows and goats, among others.
[email protected],
[email protected]
Publish Date: May 07, 2013
Red Cross seeks sh1.8b for Kasese floods victims
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642436-red-cross-seeks-sh1-8b-for-kasese-flood-victims.html
Residents of Kilembe in Kasese carry their house hold items from ruins of their homes. Photo by Bernard Maseseka
By Vision Reporter
The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is seeking for sh1.8b to provide emergency assistance to people affected by floods in Kasese district.
The appeal is targeting 18, 000 people (3, 000 households).
The funds will cater for provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, and buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits.
According to URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka, the funds will also cater for water and sanitation campaign/awareness, provision of psychosocial support to the affected families.
In addition, URCS plans to further distribute water purification tablets to avert any risk of water borne diseases.
In Kasese, the Red Cross working with Office of Prime Minister and district authorities are managing the resettlement area at Kasese Primary School. By Monday evening, 3, 108 people from Bulembia and Nyamwamba divisions (Kilembe area) had been registered at the primary school.
The Red Cross Action teams have been carrying out assessments and from the current figures, 19, 161 people have been affected in the areas of Kilembe and Bulembya (4, 996), Karusandara sub county (10, 906), Kitswamba sub county (1, 139), Kabarugira sib county (561), Bugoye sub county (76), Maliba sub county (1, 341) and Kyalumba sub county (142). Actual figures from Nyambwamba are being finalized.
The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in the camp as a measure to control disease outbreak.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of rescue and emergency relief services in Kasese Major General Julius Oketta has expressed disappointment over what he called the slow response from the government technical team to respond to the situation.
"I am disappointed that the technical people in Kampala are taking the situation here lightly, we don't need the presence of people here but we need supplies and equipment to help re-direct the water," Gen. Oketta said on Sunday.
This follows the resurgence of floods that ravaged Nyamwamba valley areas in Bulembia division in Kasese Municipality Sunday morning. He said the rains in the Rwenzori Mountains were still unpredictable and set to cause more havoc in Kasese district.
Oketta who doubles as UPDF representative in Parliament made the remarks while briefing local leaders at Kasese Primary School where an emergency camp has been established.
He advised people living in mountainous areas where landslides are eminent to be evacuated immediately. He appreciated the efforts of the local rescue team saying it was working hard to avert the situation.
A senior volunteer with Red Cross Joshua Kaija said that the emergency camp established at Kasese primary school has so far registered 415 people including 315 children.
He said that the people evacuated are mainly from Katiri and Congo quarters in Kasese Municipality.
The Mayor Kasese Municipality noted that whereas some agencies and organizations have donated items for relief aid to flood victims there was shortage of medicine.
"We're appealing for medicine, we have not received medicine ever since we started getting aid both from government and charity organizations," Kabyanga noted.
The Member of parliament Kasese Municipality James Mbahimba lashed out at the government for taking more than usual to respond to the Kasese floods.
"How can central government take five days without responding to proposed solutions to avert the problem, what we need is the equipment that can help to redirect the water and not ministers coming here to assess the situation," Mbahimba told the press at Kasese Primary school.
Published on May 8, 2013
http://ntvuganda.co.ug/
Several traders are stranded in Kasese after floods decimated the Kasese-Fort Portal highway as well as a major highway to the DRC. Traders have resorted to using an alternative routes. This has however slowed down their businesses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lktXhcNDN0I
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs1-8-billion-needed-for-Kasese-flood-victims--/-/688334/1845112/-/68x89v/-/index.html Shs1.8 billion needed for Kasese flood victims By Dear Jeanne