UGANDA: Agencies need $43 million for flood-hit areas

Aid agencies are seeking US$43 million to help up to 300,000 people affected by flash floods in a remote region of east Uganda.

The appeal will cater for an estimated 50,000 households; 100,000 of them were already internally displaced before this crisis. "Many communities have been cut off by flood waters and are unable to travel – even short distances – to the locations in which they would normally access basic services," Theophane Nikyema, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Uganda, said during the launch of the appeal in Soroti town on 21 September.

"We have so far provided shelter and household goods for more then 5,000 families and distributed food to more then 30,000 people, while we have ensured that more than 15,000 families have the means to ensure their drinking and cooking water is clean, and there are bed nets to prevent malaria," he added.

Large pools of water have cut off the Amaseniko camp for people displaced by cattle raids, while bridges have been washed away.

"The general situation is very bad and rough. Two days ago we lost two children who drowned. Floods have brought problems to this area as we recover from LRA [Lord's Resistance Army] attacks in 2003. We sleep in very appalling conditions because we fear the houses may collapse because many of them have collapsed," Robert Osujo, the camp leader, said.

"It started with lightening that killed three animals. We thought it was going to be simple; instead it started raining daily. Crops were destroyed and houses started collapsing and up to 147 houses have fallen so far. But the main pain is that our children are not attending classes [because the school building is being used as a shelter]," Francis Egoliam said.

The area nurse, Florence Asege, said incidences of malaria, diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections have increased - by up to 30 percent, according to the UN.

At Ongora camp the effects of the floods were apparent as several houses had collapsed. Water and sanitation facilities have been severely damaged, with many latrines breaking down.

Food is rotting in the granaries and the fields. Residents have tried to retrieve what they could since the rain has stopped but whatever is left is inedible. "My family and I have not eaten for a week. We survive on green leaves [Eboo]. Etenge [hunger] is really killing us," said mother of eight Margaret Akol, 36.