Written by Catherine Ntabadde
Friday, 12 August 2011 06:34
By Joseph Okalebo-Branch Manager Kotido and Catherine Ntabadde
6, 418 people in Morulem village, Kawalakol Sub County, Kaabong District need urgent re-settlement following mudlsides in the area, according to the rapid assessments conducted by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS).
3 bodies are still trapped under the debris of Nawoyagum Rock which also crushed other four people. Chances are minimal that the bodies will be retrieved because the debris are too heavy.
District authorities have warned that if the rains persist, more lives would be lost unless urgent re-settlement is done. They have recommended for re-location to a safer place.r The URCS assessments also indentified shelter, food and essential household items as some of the urgent needs of the affected families once the re-location starts. URCS through its Kotido Branch will today (August 11, 2011) distribute essential household items to some of the affected communities.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing some food to 26 families. URCS volunteers have been requested to carry out the distribution.
URCS and other partners are already on ground to provide the necessary assistance. A district disaster management committee has been called to forge a way forward on how to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected families. The Ethics State Minister Rev. Simon Lokodo who called in at URCS said the government is working out a plan of re-locating people affected in the 24 villages. He appealed to URCS to continue with its fast interventions as the relocation is underway.
The two children, Aporu Lokwanga and Imuret Lotyanga, all below 5 five years who suffered critical injuries are still admitted at Kaabong Hospital. By last night, the affected communities were still in their houses.
Meanwhile, a mudslide has occurred in Bumwalukani, Bulucheke, Bududa district injuring 5 people and destorying property. URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka said a team has already been dispatched to Bududa to conduct a rapid assessment.
The URCS Mbale Region Program Manager Stephen Wamukota said the five injured are hospitalised in Bududa Hospital. He said 42 households with a population of 421 have been displaced. The district and Red Cross teams have already visited the site.
Last Updated on Friday, 12 August 2011 07:11