China gives Uganda sh200m for flood victims

The Chinese government has donated $50,000 (about sh194m) to Uganda as emergency humanitarian assistance for families affected by recent disasters, including floods.

The donation was delivered by China's Ambassador to Uganda, Zheng Zhuqiang on Tuesday and received by three ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Hillary Onek (relief, disaster preparedness, and refugees), Grace Kwiyucwiny (state minister for northern Uganda), and Musa Ecweru (state relief and disaster preparedness) received the donation.

Ambassador Zhuqiang said the assistance was extended to the government to support communities to cope with the ravages of multiple disasters that have hit several communities across the country.

"We notice with sadness that the recent flooding in Uganda has forced hundreds of thousands of people displaced and many communities destroyed. At the same time, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and locusts, flood-affected people find it even difficult to make a living," he stated.

The funding, he said, was in reciprocation of Uganda's support to China in the early stages of the pandemic, and in the spirit of friendship that the two countries enjoy.

He noted that the two countries are battling similar experiences, with China also grappling with severe flooding, especially along the Yangtze River, the third-longest in the world.

Recent estimates show that over 300,000 people countrywide have been displaced and lost livelihood due to natural disasters.

In western Uganda districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko, over 110,000 people were displaced by floods in May this year that razed hundreds of acres of food crops to the ground.

At least 8 people died in flash floods in Kasese and Bundibugyo district on May 5 when heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow. Over 220,000 were also displaced from their homes.

Onek said fishing communities around the Lake Victoria islands were among the most affected in terms of livelihood as many businesses were submerged by flash floods.

Ecweru thanked China for the donation and said the funding would be used to provide relief supplies to families affected by disasters in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kween.