Floods block aid to northern region
Nov 30, 2008
POOR roads resulting from floods have hampered humanitarian access to the north and northeastern Uganda.
By Charles Ariko
POOR roads resulting from floods have hampered humanitarian access to the north and northeastern Uganda.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, in a report issued on Monday, said the Pader-Puranga road and the Lira-Kitgum road had deteriorated.
The report said trucks carrying food got stuck in Gulu and Amuru districts.
“The road between Gulu and Aswa Bridge is in a very bad state, hindering transport to Kitgum and Pader districts.
“In Karamoja, two bridges in Abim district, Lions Bridge that links Abim to Matany in Moroto and the bridge at the border with Pader are impassable,†the report stated.
Ajeleik Bridge that connects Amuria to Katakwi district has collapsed.
A total of 6,222 people are reported to have been displaced. The organisation said a lot of food crops have been destroyed by the floods.
“In Amuru district, water-logging in Purongo and Alero sub-counties caused damage to beans, cassava and simsim while hailstorms in Ngariam sub-county in Katakwi district destroyed about 2,000 fields of crops.â€
According to the report, families that were affected by hailstorms in Katakwi are expected to get 240bags of posho and 60 of beans.
Disaster preparedness minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said his ministry would assess the damage caused by the floods before dispatching assistance to the victims.
However, meteorologists have said the floods are expected to reduce.
“Reports are already showing a decrease in rainfall. Since November 9, up to now we have not had heavy rains in those areas.
“We expect more rains but not as much,†said Aloys Kagoro, a principal meteorologist.
Kagoro said as the rains in the north recede, districts in western, south-western, central and the lake basin regions would experience more rains.
POOR roads resulting from floods have hampered humanitarian access to the north and northeastern Uganda.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, in a report issued on Monday, said the Pader-Puranga road and the Lira-Kitgum road had deteriorated.
The report said trucks carrying food got stuck in Gulu and Amuru districts.
“The road between Gulu and Aswa Bridge is in a very bad state, hindering transport to Kitgum and Pader districts.
“In Karamoja, two bridges in Abim district, Lions Bridge that links Abim to Matany in Moroto and the bridge at the border with Pader are impassable,†the report stated.
Ajeleik Bridge that connects Amuria to Katakwi district has collapsed.
A total of 6,222 people are reported to have been displaced. The organisation said a lot of food crops have been destroyed by the floods.
“In Amuru district, water-logging in Purongo and Alero sub-counties caused damage to beans, cassava and simsim while hailstorms in Ngariam sub-county in Katakwi district destroyed about 2,000 fields of crops.â€
According to the report, families that were affected by hailstorms in Katakwi are expected to get 240bags of posho and 60 of beans.
Disaster preparedness minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said his ministry would assess the damage caused by the floods before dispatching assistance to the victims.
However, meteorologists have said the floods are expected to reduce.
“Reports are already showing a decrease in rainfall. Since November 9, up to now we have not had heavy rains in those areas.
“We expect more rains but not as much,†said Aloys Kagoro, a principal meteorologist.
Kagoro said as the rains in the north recede, districts in western, south-western, central and the lake basin regions would experience more rains.