300,000 displaced in Uganda
Growing fears in Uganda are that downpours which have killed dozens in Africa, uprooted hundreds of thousands and devastated crops could continue past the end of the rainy season.
PHOTO: REUTERS/Hudson Apunyo (courtesy www.alertnet.org)
October 4, 2007
Severe flooding in Uganda displaces 300,000
Severe floods in Uganda have so far killed at least 25 people and displaced more than 300,000 people, with thousands in need of food, medical care and shelter.
So far there have not been any reported outbreaks of disease but the most critical period will be six to eight weeks after flood waters have receded; more heavy rains are expected in October and November.
In the Lango sub-region in the north of the country, thousands of formerly internally-displaced people have fled to camps after floods swept away their homes. Roads and bridges have been destroyed in all the affected regions, and Karamoja sub-region has been cut off from the rest of the country. Boats are being used to transport relief supplies to affected area. Most schools remain open but there has been a rise in fungal infections among students caused by children walking through water to reach their schools.
Plan's immediate response
Plan has carried out a needs assessment in Lira district, where schools are reported to have remained closed due to flooding and risk of disease from flooded pit latrines; floods have also contaminated wells and groundwater, making clean water unavailable to affected populations. The Lango sub-region is a poor province which for more than 10 years has seen conflict between the rebel Lord's Resistance Army and government forces.
Assistance required:
Food shortages will be a big problem. Flooding has destroyed the staple crops of cassava and sweet potato tubers. Other main crops including beans, simsim and millet have either been washed away or submerged.
The current planting season has been wiped out due to waterlogged fields. The next crop planting in March 2008 could be heavily affected as the seeds have either been washed away or destroyed by rising waters. In addition, there has been no adequate sunshine to process and dry those harvested.
Further communications
Obtaining accurate data and figures on the extent of flood damage is proving difficult, with big discrepancies in figures coming from non-governmental organizations and district authorities. The situation is compounded by people fleeing to former camps for internally displaced people where they used to stay during the conflict.
Plan Uganda has made an urgent appeal for immediate assistance:
Donate today to Plan's Disaster Relief and Recovery fund. Your support enables us to respond quickly and effectively to help children and families affected by disasters and crises. Thank you.
Learn more about Plan's work in Uganda.
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So far there have not been any reported outbreaks of disease but the most critical period will be six to eight weeks after flood waters have receded; more heavy rains are expected in October and November.
In the Lango sub-region in the north of the country, thousands of formerly internally-displaced people have fled to camps after floods swept away their homes. Roads and bridges have been destroyed in all the affected regions, and Karamoja sub-region has been cut off from the rest of the country. Boats are being used to transport relief supplies to affected area. Most schools remain open but there has been a rise in fungal infections among students caused by children walking through water to reach their schools.
Plan's immediate response
Plan has carried out a needs assessment in Lira district, where schools are reported to have remained closed due to flooding and risk of disease from flooded pit latrines; floods have also contaminated wells and groundwater, making clean water unavailable to affected populations. The Lango sub-region is a poor province which for more than 10 years has seen conflict between the rebel Lord's Resistance Army and government forces.
Assistance required:
- Urgent provision of alum to purify drinking water and water-purification tablets
- Medicine units for community health centers and medicine for fungal infections
- Mosquito bednets for homeless families
- Bean, simsim (sesame) and millet seeds. Poor farmers whose fields were heavily or completely damaged will be given priority.
- School books
Food shortages will be a big problem. Flooding has destroyed the staple crops of cassava and sweet potato tubers. Other main crops including beans, simsim and millet have either been washed away or submerged.
The current planting season has been wiped out due to waterlogged fields. The next crop planting in March 2008 could be heavily affected as the seeds have either been washed away or destroyed by rising waters. In addition, there has been no adequate sunshine to process and dry those harvested.
Further communications
Obtaining accurate data and figures on the extent of flood damage is proving difficult, with big discrepancies in figures coming from non-governmental organizations and district authorities. The situation is compounded by people fleeing to former camps for internally displaced people where they used to stay during the conflict.
Plan Uganda has made an urgent appeal for immediate assistance:
Donate today to Plan's Disaster Relief and Recovery fund. Your support enables us to respond quickly and effectively to help children and families affected by disasters and crises. Thank you.
Learn more about Plan's work in Uganda.
Back to top
