Uganda Red Cross seeks Shs63 billion for disaster response

 As the country faces increasing threats from climate-related disasters, epidemics, and other crises, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has revealed it needs Shs63.1 billion to boost its response to such events next year.

While at the event that marked 60 years of URCS’s service to humanity in Uganda, Mr Robert Kwesiga the Uganda Red Cross Society secretary general, said the Shs63.1 billion is part of the Society’s overall budget of Shs177 billion for 2025.

He added that the remaining amount will be channeled towards other URCS core focus areas that include first aid and ambulance services, blood donor recruitment and mobilisation, pandemics, and responses to epidemics, among others. 

“In recent years, the country has experienced some of the worst disasters in its history, including floods, landslides, and droughts. These disasters have had a devastating impact on communities, which justifies our call to intensified preparedness with our appeals to various corporate companies, the government, and individuals to support the Uganda Red Cross,” he said.

Further among the Shs177 billion, Shs66.8 billion was allocated to first aid and ambulance services, Shs2 billion to blood donor recruitment and mobilisation, Shs12 billion to pandemics and epidemics, Shs10.4 billion to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Shs1.4 billion to Keep a Girl in School, an initiative that was launched in 2019, Shs6.4 billion to youth and women empowerment and Shs14.7 billion for sustainability/ climate and environment action.

This year, the Uganda Red Cross Society has responded to several disasters among which include the Ntoroko District floods that displaced hundreds of residents from five villages, Kiteezi Garbage landfill that collapsed killing 35 people and injuring 18, and the ongoing Bulambuli mudslides that have so far claimed 28 lives.

To ensure effective preparedness and timely response, the Uganda Red Cross Society has also launched the Uganda Red Cross Society humanitarian fund designed to enhance preparedness for humanitarian disasters enabling anticipatory action to save more lives. 

The fund, according to top managers, is a transformative shift from short-term donations and corporate social responsibility activities to long-term commitments that ensure sustainability.

It is expected to provide timely financial support to strengthen the Society’s critical humanitarian efforts, unlike the current situation where the organization relies heavily on donations and contributions from its members.

Also, a five-member independent board of trustees has been constituted to provide strategic guidance and oversight ensuring the fund's effective management and sustainability.

Mr Peter Kimbowa, a trustee of the fund, has called upon the corporate community and individuals to rally behind the initiative, providing vital support for disaster responses and preparedness efforts.

“We are calling upon corporate Uganda to embrace and support this long-term initiative, what we are appealing for is not cooperate dollar, we are looking at shifting from corporate social responsibility to corporate social investment,” he said.

The minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Mr Hillary Onek, decried the inadequacy of a dedicated government budget to effectively plan and execute disaster mitigation strategies despite knowing the causes and patterns of disasters. He made a passionate appeal for a disaster mitigation budget.

“Without a dedicated budget, planning and executing disaster mitigation strategies becomes impossible. We are actively pleading with Parliament and the Cabinet to address this gap,” he said.