By Augustine Kabooha.
Between March and May 2020 Kasese experienced heavy rains leading to occasional flooding and landslides in various parts of the district. From Wednesday 6th May 2020 to 20th May 2020, the district experienced serious flooding due to the simultaneous bursting of the 7 rivers of Lhubiriha, Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani, Sebwe, Rwembyo and Thaku across the twenty three Sub-counties and two divisions of Kasese Municipality.
As a result property, Crops, Human Lives, and infrastructure both private and government including schools, bridges, roads, and health facilities were completely destroyed. This also resulted into internal displacement of persons scattered and hosted at various Institutions-schools and churches.
On the 14th of December 2020, the Office of the Prime Minister together with Kasese district local government made a decision to temporarily relocate and resettle all the 289 displaced families on Muhokya Sub-County land about 30 acres besides Muhokya Health Center III.
The recently concluded assessment exercise results revealed that 289 households (1,445) persons need continuous support since their sources of livelihoods have been obliterated.
Speaking to our reporter in an interview at Rukoki district headquarters on Wednesday, Joseph Thembo Isingoma the camp focal person reported inadequacy in food supply by both government and well-wishers.
Young children, mothers, and adults are spending days on an empty stomach which may result in malnutrition or death, he noted!
Other challenges.
Our reporter visited the camp on Wednesday and observed that the affected persons have and still face challenges of Limited water supply. One tap stand located at Muhokya sub-county headquarters currently serves a population of over 400 households IDPs and the neighboring community. Lack of latrine/bath facilities hence the community has resorted to using the nearby bush as disposal sites.
There are Limited lighting facilities. The camp currently accommodates about 289 households but has only 3 solar panels installed which are not enough to provide lights to the whole community.
Inadequate medical supplies at Muhokya HCIII. As a result of poor feeding, the community has increasingly become vulnerable to sickness, putting pressure on the available medical services. No shelter, Majority of the Households are hit by direct sunshine and heavy rains. Tarpaulins provided earlier are torn and hence unsuitable for people to stay.
There are no sanitary pads for women and girls yet they form the majority of the camp. Inadequacy in supply of soap and lastly majority of the people in the camp do not have blankets which mostly affects young children.
Worries.
If physcal social support is not provided to the victims or stressed community, then teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and gender based violence may arise.
If Wash Issues remain unaddressed then there could be another epidemic of disease outbreak like cholera, Malaria and many other Wash related epidemics.
Illnesses or death of our children and adults may as a result of poor feeding or hunger arise. If tarpaulins for temporary shelters are not provided in time then victims will be hit by rains and sunshine.
Theft of food items from the neighboring community may arise as a result of untimely provision of adequate foods. Insecurity may arise if lighting facilities are not provided and installed in time.
If the allocation of medical supplies to Muhokya HCIII is not increased then vulnerable community stands a high risk of death.
Background.
The previous flooding occurrences were registered on 1st May 2013, May 8th 2014 and May 6th 2015. All these flood deserters including the most recent of May 2020 had the same characteristics of rivers bursting their banks forcing hundreds of people into displacement.
Interventions.
Jubilee radio management are soliciting items, food and non food including money to be delivered to the camp during the holy week ahead of Easter Celebrations.
According to Rev. Fr. Fredrick Douglas Waako the company managing director, Arms-giving is one of the key pillars of lent season and everyone is encouraged to do acts of charity by helping the most vulnerable
