Floods disrupt livelihoods for 300,000 people in Uganda

Unprecedented heavy rains and resultant flooding and waterlogging continue to affect at least 300,000 people in northern and eastern Uganda. The flooding has caused widespread damage and destruction of infrastructure, limiting access to affected areas. In the worst affected areas, nearly 80 percent of unharvested crops have been damaged, which has led to a near tripling of food prices. For many families the next harvest cannot take place until at least March of next year, as the current planting season has been lost.

There is growing concern that overflowing and collapsed latrines may lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Most of the affected population was only beginning to return to their homes after several years in refugee camps as a result of 21 years of conflict in northern and eastern Uganda. 

CARE has identified two immediate overarching needs: stabilizing the food security situation as quickly as possible, and proper water and sanitation to prevent the outbreak of waterborne epidemic diseases. The relief effort has been hampered by the inaccessibility of affected areas and a slow donor response.

To date, emergency supplies have failed to reach over 50 percent of the affected people. And weather forecasts continue to predict normal to above normal rains. 

Acting with our partners, CARE has distributed water purification tablets to 3,500 households and helped train communities on their use. CARE has also distributed soap, mosquito nets and water storage containers as part of its response. Information campaigns on safe water access and basic hygiene and sanitation practices have also been carried out in partnership with Uganda Red Cross Society and other aid agencies. Food distribution for 1,500 households of persons living with HIV affected by the flood is scheduled to start soon; however this remains minimal in comparison to the existing needs.

With additional funding, CARE hopes to distribute non-food items to 4,000 additional households.