Govt to speed up disaster policy
Apr 13, 2010
THE Government has been advised to speed up the passing of the national disaster management policy.
By Simon Naulele
THE Government has been advised to speed up the passing of the national disaster management policy.
The vice-chairperson of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Robert Ssebunya, said lack of the policy inhibits development.
“What we are talking about now would be easily implemented if the Government passed the national disaster management policy,†he said.
Ssebunya said although disaster does not warn, the Government should ensure that people are prepared.
He made the remarks at Wera sub-county in Amuria district last week.
This was during the launch of a programme in Teso intended to teach local communities how to manage disaster.
The theme of the project, organised by the Red Cross is: “Risk reduction today for a better tomorrowâ€.
A similar project was launched in Kapujan sub-county, Katakwi district, covering the parishes of Kapujan, Orimai and Kokorio. In Wera, it covers Wera, Amolo and Sugur parishes.
The $300,000 18-month project, which is expected to end in June 2011, is sponsored by the American Red Cross.
It is aimed at mobilising the local communities to identify risks and solutions to catastrophes.
The Uganda Red Cross worked with the communities of the selected parishes to form community-based disaster risk reduction groups of 20 members per parish, which are accountable to the community.
Each of the group members received a bicycle for mobilisation and will be supported through training.
“We know the Government is working on the policy, but our concern is that it has taken too long,†Ssebunya said.
He said the Red Cross had contributed to the preparation of the policy.
Ssebunya noted that the policy will allow disaster management actors to serve the vulnerable people based on national guidelines.
He said disasters had impoverished communities through increasing food prices, displacement, environmental degradation, asset losses and exposure to diseases.
THE Government has been advised to speed up the passing of the national disaster management policy.
The vice-chairperson of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Robert Ssebunya, said lack of the policy inhibits development.
“What we are talking about now would be easily implemented if the Government passed the national disaster management policy,†he said.
Ssebunya said although disaster does not warn, the Government should ensure that people are prepared.
He made the remarks at Wera sub-county in Amuria district last week.
This was during the launch of a programme in Teso intended to teach local communities how to manage disaster.
The theme of the project, organised by the Red Cross is: “Risk reduction today for a better tomorrowâ€.
A similar project was launched in Kapujan sub-county, Katakwi district, covering the parishes of Kapujan, Orimai and Kokorio. In Wera, it covers Wera, Amolo and Sugur parishes.
The $300,000 18-month project, which is expected to end in June 2011, is sponsored by the American Red Cross.
It is aimed at mobilising the local communities to identify risks and solutions to catastrophes.
The Uganda Red Cross worked with the communities of the selected parishes to form community-based disaster risk reduction groups of 20 members per parish, which are accountable to the community.
Each of the group members received a bicycle for mobilisation and will be supported through training.
“We know the Government is working on the policy, but our concern is that it has taken too long,†Ssebunya said.
He said the Red Cross had contributed to the preparation of the policy.
Ssebunya noted that the policy will allow disaster management actors to serve the vulnerable people based on national guidelines.
He said disasters had impoverished communities through increasing food prices, displacement, environmental degradation, asset losses and exposure to diseases.