Rescue flood victims in east

Following the persistent heavy rain, parts of the country have been devastated by floods. One of the most affected regions is eastern Uganda, where residents have sought shelter in schools, churches and some safer relatives’ homes (see: “No help yet as floods ravage east” in yesterday’s Daily Monitor).

What, however, is surprising, but really not news, is the absence of quick government response to the ravaging floods. In the districts of Butaleja, Tororo, Amuria, and Kotido, among others, rivers have burst their banks and roads, bridges, gardens, and houses have been washed away leaving people marooned on relatively safer grounds.

Residents are crying foul over the delay by government to deliver relief response. In their desperation, even as they believe that they have been forgotten, they are still calling on government to act fast.
“We are suffering in floods without any help. We appeal to government to act,” an LC official said.
There is a growing fear of cholera outbreak and other related diseases affecting people unless urgent steps are taken to address the situation.

It is frustrating that despite the dire needs of the affected people, Butaleja District information officer says the district disaster committee, was still assessing the situation to ascertain the extent of the damage. The commissioner for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Martin Owori, said government had already mapped out the affected people and households and it will extend relief to the suffering communities soon.

But how soon is soon considering the plight of the affected people? And how prepared is the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees in the wake of the ravaging floods? The ministry should be cognisant of the fact that disaster-affected people want timely and relevant relief and not just promises as their lives and property are at stake.

It is important that government should immediately take charge of the situation. Disasters such as floods, drought, landslides, etc, are not only environmental and social tragedies, but they are also a security issue.
So where are government functionaries and technocrats – the RDCs, security agencies, and CAOs in all this? Why are they not speaking for the victims?

In the circumstances, we advise the flood-affected people that as they wait for government to deliver relief, they should take care of their individual lives, their families and any remaining property in the best way they can. What is critical is that whatever anticipated government assistance, whenever it comes, should find them alive.

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