Over 1500 Bundibugyo flood victims still homeless

Jan 10, 2020

Several residents who camped at Bubukwanga refugee transit camp and Semuliki high in Bundibugyo are still waiting for assistance to rebuild their homes after floods destroyed their houses.

FLOODS     CLIMATE CHANGE

BUNDIBUJO - Over 1500 residents in Bundibugyo district, were last year displaced by the floods and are still enduring cold nights in the two camps that were established.

In December last year, several residents fled their homes and others died in the floods that ravaged the sub counties of Ntotoro, Kisuba, Busaru, Kirumya, and Ngamba after River Humya and other small rivers broke their banks making the flooding severe.
 
Several residents who camped at Bubukwanga refugee transit camp and Semuliki high in Bundibugyo are still waiting for assistance to rebuild their homes after floods destroyed their houses. 

In Kirumya village, Ntontoro sub-county where several homes were destroyed and trails of damage are vivid on first sight. Most of the structures in the area are wattle, some were washed away while others have been deserted.

Florence Mbambu a 78-year-old who stays with seven grandchildren, is one of those whose house was washed away by the floods. 

"I have been enduring the cold nights since we were relocated to the camp at Semuliki high school and all my property were destroyed. I appeal to the government to find an alternative land and relocate us there," Mbambu said.

Julius Bakahwelayo a resident of Kirumya said he has been sleeping on the floor with his three grand children after their father and their property were washed away by the floods in December.

ome of the flood victims receiving relief items from ganda ed ross officials Some of the flood victims receiving relief items from Uganda Red Cross officials

 
"Together with my grand children we have been sleeping on the ground because all the property that we had was washed away by the floods. we don't have beddings and life has been very hard," Bakahwelayo said.

He added that government should consider desilting Humya River which contributes heavily to the flooding in the area, adding that during the rainy season, Humya normally bursts its banks thus contributing heavily to the flooding in the area.

Ronald Mutegeki, the LCV Chairperson Bundibugyo says he has engaged Uganda National Roads Authority to provide an excavator to help open the roads and other stake holders who are providing services to the internally displaced people in the two camps.

Asiimwe Grace Kakwenza the Resident District Commissioner for Bundibugyo said they have  written to other  partners like the Uganda Red Cross Society to come to the aid of the affected people.

Although the district has managed to relocate the affected people to a safer area, feeding remains a challenge since victims lost all their food staff. 

The district is seeking support in terms of food, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, and drugs to stock some of the health facilities so that they can take care of the affected residents.

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