Summary
Content
On 25th September OCHA released Sitrep n. 3. Main issues as follows:
- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni declared a state of emergency in the areas of eastern Uganda affected by the flooding on 19 September, which was endorsed by Parliament on 25 September.
- Planning for the humanitarian response is based on some 50,000 households, or approximately 300,000 people, being affected by the rainfall and associated flooding. This planning figure may be expected to change as additional assessments come in and/or depending on whether the intensified rainfall continues.
- At present, the humanitarian response is focused on Teso region, and specifically Katakwi and Amuria districts.
- In Pader district, access remains limited in areas; most major roads have spots only passable using 4x4 vehicles. Continued rains could prevent food distributions from reaching some 50% of targeted beneficiaries.
- Priority needs, as identified by the Government, remain:
- Shelter materials, blankets and warm clothing
- Food
- Water and sanitation facilities
- Health care assistance
- Access to the flood-affected population, both for assessments and the delivery of emergency assistance, remains a major challenge for the response actors.
- Key roads remain impassable due to bridge collapses and water-logging.
- The main road from Soroti to Kampala was cut on 21 September by the flooding of Awoja Bridge. District officials advised on 24 September that the bridge in question would remain out of service to heavy traffic until the end of the floods.
- Soroti is currently linked to Kampala via Ngora in Kumi district, but Agu Bridge, which links the main alternative access route, is on the verge of collapse.
- Katakwi district also remains cut off from Soroti by flooding at the Komolo swamp.