25 IDP camps need to be relocated
Sep 10, 2007
TWENTY-five internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Teso region have to be relocated to dry land or to uphill areas in order to save the inhabitants from floods, the state minister for disaster preparedness has said.
By John Omoding and
Aidah Nanyonjo in Katakwi
TWENTY-five internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Teso region have to be relocated to dry land or to uphill areas in order to save the inhabitants from floods, the state minister for disaster preparedness has said.
Following the torrential rains that hit the region for over a month, several rivers and swamps have burst their banks and caused excessive flooding. Crops have been destroyed, houses razed, roads submerged, bridges washed away, water sources contaminated and pit latrines filled up.
Delivering relief to the residents of Acanga camp in Ngariam sub-county and Magoro sub-county on Saturday, Ecweru said his ministry would provide some tents and sickles to facilitate the relocation of the IDPs.
“The sanitation in the Teso camps is horrific. Water has filled up the pit latrines and they are overflowing. This poses a big health risk to the people living in those camps.
“I was shocked to find people living in the flooded camps, especially in Oongoria IDP camp. If these people are not relocated within a few days, there could be an outbreak of an epidemic.â€
He said each camp needed a medical team to address problems of cholera and malaria that might arise as a result of the floods.
Ecweru added that the floods had hampered the Government’s resettlement programme in Teso. About 60,000 people in Katakwi are still living in the camps of Katakwi.
The district chairperson, John Robert Ekongot, said about 25 camps have been badly-affected by floods and over 15,000 people need to be relocated.
He cited some of the badly affected camps as Oongoria, Kipiyang, Acanga, Palam, Opeuro Aodot and Olir.
Katakwi has 53 camps, created after the persistent Karimojong attacks, cattle rustling and the recent LRA invasion in Teso.
Meanwhile, the Amuria district chairperson, Julius Ochen, said the camps in Kapelebyong, Acowa, and Obalanga sub-counties were also badly hit.
He appealed to humanitarian agencies to help in the relocation of the people by providing items like tents, blankets, medicine, mosquito nets and food.
Aidah Nanyonjo in Katakwi
TWENTY-five internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Teso region have to be relocated to dry land or to uphill areas in order to save the inhabitants from floods, the state minister for disaster preparedness has said.
Following the torrential rains that hit the region for over a month, several rivers and swamps have burst their banks and caused excessive flooding. Crops have been destroyed, houses razed, roads submerged, bridges washed away, water sources contaminated and pit latrines filled up.
Delivering relief to the residents of Acanga camp in Ngariam sub-county and Magoro sub-county on Saturday, Ecweru said his ministry would provide some tents and sickles to facilitate the relocation of the IDPs.
“The sanitation in the Teso camps is horrific. Water has filled up the pit latrines and they are overflowing. This poses a big health risk to the people living in those camps.
“I was shocked to find people living in the flooded camps, especially in Oongoria IDP camp. If these people are not relocated within a few days, there could be an outbreak of an epidemic.â€
He said each camp needed a medical team to address problems of cholera and malaria that might arise as a result of the floods.
Ecweru added that the floods had hampered the Government’s resettlement programme in Teso. About 60,000 people in Katakwi are still living in the camps of Katakwi.
The district chairperson, John Robert Ekongot, said about 25 camps have been badly-affected by floods and over 15,000 people need to be relocated.
He cited some of the badly affected camps as Oongoria, Kipiyang, Acanga, Palam, Opeuro Aodot and Olir.
Katakwi has 53 camps, created after the persistent Karimojong attacks, cattle rustling and the recent LRA invasion in Teso.
Meanwhile, the Amuria district chairperson, Julius Ochen, said the camps in Kapelebyong, Acowa, and Obalanga sub-counties were also badly hit.
He appealed to humanitarian agencies to help in the relocation of the people by providing items like tents, blankets, medicine, mosquito nets and food.