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ACT Alliance Alert: Support to survivors of landslide and floods in Bulambuli, Uganda

19 Sep 2011 12:25

Source: member // ACT Alliance - Switzerland

Alert  

Uganda

Support to survivors of landslide and floods in Bulambuli, Uganda 

Geneva, 16 September 2011

1.       Brief description of the emergency

Bulambuli District is a district in Eastern Uganda. The district is named after 'chief town', Bulambuli, where the district headquarters are located.  The coordinates of the district are: 01 22N, 34 09E, at an altitude of about 1,526 metres above sea level.  Heavy rains in the Eastern Region of Uganda that started in late August 2011 caused a lot of damage to property, humans, crops and animals. Rains were particularly severe in the districts of Bulambuli, Sironko, Kween, Mbale, Butalejja and Kapchorwa; other areas of the country were also affected.  Landslides occurred in upper Bulambuli District on 28^th August 2011 in the sub counties of Sisiyi, Buluganya, Lusha and Namisuni.

2.       Impact

The neighboring districts of Sironko, Kween, Mbale and Butaleja also experienced some flooding from rivers overflowing their banks, but the biggest damage has been in Bulambuli. The number of people confirmed dead is 27 (16 in Sisiyi sub-county and 11 in Bulugenya sub-county.  Households affected are estimated at over 12,000, with a total of 50,000- 70,000 people.  Being a new district, the capacity of the local government there to respond to an emergency of this magnitude would naturally be limited, hence the need for external support.

3.       National and international response

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) action team and volunteers, together with the community members, police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been involved in rescue efforts and search of the survivors.

The Government of Uganda, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), has provided 40,000 kgs of maize and 40,000 kgs of bean. This amount is far below the food requirement for the affected population. Food is still required for at least 50,000 people over the weeks ahead.

World Vision Uganda has provided mosquito nets, blankets and medical supplies.

The response is generally still far below that required and the communities as well as agencies intervening are appealing for more support.

4.       ACT Alliance response

The field assessment made by the ACT forum members, consents that there is need for an immediate intervention. It was resolved that that COU-PDR coordinates the emergency intervention, since COU-PDR has recognizable presence in the area through North Mbale Diocese and the affected parishes.

Needs are greatest in the area of food, water and sanitation, shelter, health and medical care, and education. Based on the various assessments made, and in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society which is directly responsible for the assessment and distribution of the emergency items, the ACT Uganda Forum has decided to intervene in the areas of food aid and water quality improvement, and support efforts to train communities in the use of water purifying tables, health and proper hygiene practices.

5.       Planned activities

The ACT Uganda forum hopes to mobilize money for food supplies up to $50,000 from among its members’ partners. Dan church Aid will take the lead. The food items will include maize flour and beans. The ration will be according to the SHPERE standards of 12 kg of maize per person per month and 2 kgs of beans per person per month (60,000 kgs of maize flour and 10,000 kgs of beans) -for a household of 5 persons in average.  This will cater for 1,000 HH for one month.

Lutheran World Federation, in collaboration with OCHA, will provide water purifying tablets, which are anticipated to cover the estimated need of  (URC estimates that 60,000 tablets). The need gap is on the availability of clean water containers and community awareness on the use of the tablets and other issues related to health and hygiene. The forum therefore intends to purchase 1,000 plastic containers (20 litre jerry cans) as well as provide training and support to community based health workers to reach out to the communities with health messages.  This will be funded through an RRF request of $30,000.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, ACT Chief Finance Officer (Jean_Daniel.Birmele@actalliance.org).