The Uganda Red Cross has donated relief items to over 200 beneficiaries in Bududa district following the recent landslides that left over 1200 people affected.
Each family received a non-food relief item kit composed of 2 Jerry cans, tarpaulin (4*6 mtrs), 2 blankets, 2 mosquito nets, 1 bar of soap, Water purification tabs, cups, plates, cooking pans, serving ladle, sleeping mats, solar lamps, and menstrual hygiene management kits for women and girls.
Bududa has been experiencing episodes of disasters and the most recent was a landslide which affected close to 3500 people.
The relief distribution exercise was held at Bududa – Bulucheke Playground, and officiated by Agnes Nandutu the State Minister for Karamoja and Bududa district woman representative.
Speaking at the event, Robert Kwesiga the Uganda Red Cross Secretary said the relief distribution is part of the support extended to the most affected families to enable them develop coping mechanisms.
Kwesiga appreciated the Office of the Prime Minister, and the district leadership for working with the Red Cross through the grass root structures to ensure that there is a working disaster management committee that aims at strengthening emergency response for timely arrest of life threatening emergencies.
“We are happy that no life was lost in this big landslide because of the early warning system that works through the structures we have set up in Bududa and the entire mountain Elgon region,” Kwesiga said.
He noted that the coordination is helping in the building of resilient communities, and strengthening the systems for a better response mechanism and stronger communities.
Kwesiga said that as Red Cross, their ultimate goal is to save lives, and supporting those affected by disasters in any way is part of an enabling environment for them to fulfil their mandate.
Minister Nandutu while giving her remarks, welcomed the relief delivered to the people of Bududa and promised to continue working with other partners to deliver more support in an efficient and effective way through fast tracking the National Disaster Law which the Red Cross is working on together with the Government of Uganda.
She appreciated the Red Cross for their close relationship with the district, and the Office of the Prime Minister while responding to disasters in Bududa and other parts of the country that are experiencing disasters and other life threatening emergencies.
“Uganda Red Cross is one of the agencies that the Office of the Prime Minister works with to mitigate, and manage disasters in this country. I am happy to note that whenever there are disasters in Bududa, Red Cross is among the first entities on ground to support the district to conduct assessments, rescue the affected and save lives,” Nandutu said.
Nandutu added, “We have also seen you (Red Cross) in other emergencies such as responding to road traffic accidents, COVID-19 among other emergencies.”
