UNDP Uganda was among the various organisations that rushed to Eastern Uganda to support the people of Bududa who recently experienced heavy rains that caused disastrous mud slides that led to the death of people and destruction of infrastructure

 

UNDP led by the disaster management specialist, Winston Camarinas, was part of the Inter agency team sent in to assess the damage of the rains and mudslides on Bududa and Butaleja districts. From the assessment, the team drew up a report detailing the needs and the level of assistance for both the immediate and long term interventions.

 

The report highlights that 5,300 individuals (899 households) have been affected by the mudslides in Bududa while in Butaleja district; the floods had already affected as many as 120,000 individuals which is over 20,000 households.

 

The inter-agency team also took part in a series of meetings called by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and attended by other civil society organisations. During these meetings, it was agreed that the UN agencies will provide food aid support for 3 months in the temporary relocation sites for the affected families of Bududa, while waiting for the government to decide on the possible permanent site where they can be re-settled. 

 

It was also agreed that the UN agencies together with the District Disaster Management Committees of Butaleja will work out the details of the food aid needs of the affected communities in the district. OPM is planning to launch a government appeal for support on 11th March 2010.

 

UNDP also supported the Bududa efforts by working with the local government in the district to provide much needed office space and a conference room for the coordination team headed by OPM.

 

In addition, UNDP provided to generators and set up a wireless internet connection for the team.  

 

UNDP also provided the following:

 

·         Coordinated with UNOSAT to secure satellite imagery of the area affected by the disaster;

·         Submitted project proposal to secure emergency funding from BCPR,

·         Started development of joint project on recovery with Uganda red Cross Society,

·         Made available two vehicles for the use of the OPM/NECOC team,

·         Participated in the development of the 3Ws (Who, What, Where) of the government appeal.

 

 

UNDP will continue to support OPM in leading the coordination of assistance and in disaster preparedness for both Bududa and Butaleja and the other districts in the Bugisu region which are at risk of heavy rains, flood and mud slides.

 

It also hopes to continue taking a lead in the early recovery preparations and interventions for the affected families and communities, these interventions include; re-afforestation and restocking of livestock support the construction of huts for permanent re-settlement for the affected families of Bududa, provision of tools for opening new agricultural land for resettlement and livelihood support for the families.

 

UNDP is also proposing to engage in raising awareness amongst the affected and at-risk communities on Disaster Risk Reduction.