21st September, 2007
The government of Uganda has declared a state of emergency in several parts of the country that have been affected by massive flooding in the last few days. This means that funds that were marked for other purposes can now be diverted towards helping an estimated 300,000 people affected by the floods.
According to Uganda’s Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, the floods are expected to worsen in several parts of the country over the next few months. The government hopes that the international community will also step up efforts to assist the victims.
AMREF is focusing its efforts in five districts, namely Katakwi, Amuria, Soroti, Pader and Kitgum. Out of the five, Katakwi, Amuria and Soroti, which make up the Teso region, have been worst affected. In Soroti, pit latrines in several villages have collapsed and are overflowing. AMREF is concerned about the potential outbreak of water-borne diseases such as cholera due to contamination of water sources.
Richard Opesen, AMREF’s project officer in Soroti, has been visiting some of the affected homes and says the risk of a cholera outbreak is high. “We have started urging communities here to take extra precautions such as boiling the water they use for drinking and cooking to avert a possible outbreak.” Several stretches of the road network in the affected regions have also been damaged and bridges swept away, hampering access to some remote villages. “The extent of the damage in Soroti is less than in Katakwi and Amuria districts. In some villages, people have been using canoes to get around because the roads are flooded,” said Richard Opesen.
Soroti District borders Lake Kyoga. The Nile River, which feeds into the lake, has broken its banks, creating a large expanse of stagnant water that is fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes. AMREF is appealing for insecticide-treated nets, especially for pregnant women and for children under five, who are the most vulnerable to malaria infections. AMREF estimates it will need 20,000 nets in these five targeted districts.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, AMREF’s Country Director in Uganda, Joshua Kyallo, said: “We are working closely with Direct Relief International (DRI) to provide cholera kits and emergency drug kits so that we are prepared in the event of an outbreak of water-borne diseases.”
He added: “AMREF needs more support not only to contain the immediate problems resulting from the flooding but to ensure that we manage the impact of the health problems that are sure to increase in the next two months. We are working closely with the village health committees to ensure that the people understand the potential scale of the health problems and ensure they take precautionary measures. The only way we can overcome these challenges is if the people play an active role in the whole process.”
For more information and/or interviews with staff in the field contact Louise Orton in the UK on +44 (0)7939 141 764 or Betty Muriuki in Kenya on +254 20 699 3327