OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Uganda: Floods
30 October 2007


The information contained in this report has been gathered by the Office 
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) from sources 
including the Government of Uganda, UN agencies, non-governmental 
organizations and the Red Cross movement.

HIGHLIGHTS

DECREASING FLOOD WATERS ARE INCREASING RISK OF WATERBORNE DISEASE 
OUTBREAK

NEW ASSESSMENT IN KABERAMAIDO DISTRICT REVEALS HAIL DAMAGE ON TOP OF 
FLOODS

Situation Overview

Over the past three weeks, the affected areas of Teso, Bugisu and Sebei 
sub-regions have experienced a relative dry spell with only occasional 
light rain.

The humanitarian response to the floods continues to improve, albeit 
slowly owing to the thin presence of actors on the ground, particularly 
in the Bugisu and Sebei sub regions.

Overall, one of the primary shortfalls in response remains the 
inadequate supply of essential drugs and low staffing levels in health 
facilities. At present, malaria is the most common cause of morbidity - 
in the week ending 21 October, 21,085 cases of malaria were recorded in 
129 health units in the Teso sub-region. However, as the floodwaters 
recede, water contamination levels are increasing, and with them the 
likelihood of outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Thus, in addition to 
health care and drugs provision, there is an urgent need to address 
water and sanitation needs in a sustainable manner.

New Assessments

A 21 October assessment in Bululu sub-county of Kaberamaido district 
(Teso sub-region) found that, in addition to flooding, there had been 
hailstorms, which further damaged areas already hit by the flooding. The 
assessment also revealed contamination of water sources.

A 25 October joint assessment in Ogerai parish, Kobulubulu sub-county, 
which has been cut off from the rest of Kaberamaido district since July 
by flooding on the main access road, revealed satisfactory conditions in 
terms of health, food and education. Essential drugs were delivered to 
the Murem Health Centre II (first receipt of drugs since June 2007) and 
arrangements for six Primary Leaving Examination candidates to sit their 
exams in nearby schools were made.

>From 26 to 27 October, a joint assessment in Ongongoja camp in Katakwi
district highlighted the limited access to health services of the camps 
600 residents, who are 14 kilometres from the nearest functioning Health 
Centre III. The assessment also found that only limited aid had been 
delivered to six IDP camps in the area: Aketa, Milimil, Obulengorok, 
Okocho, Omerimong and Ongongoja.

Access

Despite improved weather conditions, access to flood-affected 
communities remains challenging in some areas due to closed bridges and 
roads.

Access to Soroti from southern Uganda continues to be limited to the Agu 
Bridge (the alternate route from Mbale to Soroti), which is recommended 
for use only by light vehicles. Heavy vehicles should travel to Soroti 
via Lira. The main route from Mbale to Soroti remains cut at the Awoja 
Bridge, where passage from one side of the water expanse to the other is 
available by small boat.

Road access to Katakwi and Amuria districts is increasing, although it 
remains dependent on the size of trucks/cargo. The area of Ngariam 
corner remains problematic for trucks carrying heavy loads.

Access to many parts of Kaberamaido district is problematic, with the 
road connecting Katine and Kalaki sub-counties closed. The only access 
by road from Soroti to Kalaki is through Otuboi. Additionally, road 
conditions between Lwala and Kaberamaido district headquarters could be 
problematic after heavy rainfall, especially for heavy trucks. The 
Kapchorwa - Bukwo road is also in bad condition.

Priority Needs

The priority areas for the response, as identified by the Humanitarian 
Coordinator following consultation with the clusters and the Government, 
remain:

- Stabilising the initial food security situation;
- Preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring capacity to respond to
   health emergencies;
- Re-opening schools and ensuring access to primary education;
- Responding to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable;
- Ensuring physical access to the most vulnerable, and continuing
   inter-cluster assessments;
- Understanding the early recovery needs of the affected population and
   prioritising recovery interventions.


For more information, please contact:

Kristen Knutson, Public Information and Donor Liaison Officer, OCHA-Uganda:
+256 312 244 888, +256 772 759 996 (mobile), knutson@un.org;

Lydia Mirembe Ssenyonjo, National Information Officer, OCHA-Uganda: +256 
312 244 890, mirembessenyonjo@un.org;

Chris Hyslop, Desk Officer, OCHA-New York: +1 917 367 9457, 
hyslopc@un.org;

Stephanie Bunker, Public Information Officer, OCHA-New York: +1 917 367 
5126, +1 917 892 1679 (mobile), bunker@un.org;

Elisabeth Byrs, Public Information Officer, OCHA-Geneva: +41 22 917 2653,
byrs@un.org

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=6BAC2D8B5619273B85257384006C7D15&file=Full_Report.pdf

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -