Uganda Red Cross launches emergency appeal to support Bududa landslide victims.

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) on 17th October launched an appeal to the general public to raise 1.2 Billion shillings to support victims of the Bududa landslides and other neighboring districts that might be at risk. This is expected to benefit over 5000 people in the disaster prone districts of the Elgon region; Bududa, Namisindwa, Butalejja, and Manafwa. These battle with effects of climate change almost every year and there is urgent need to prepare for more disasters. Launching the appeal yesterday at URCS headquarters in Rubaga, the Secretary General Mr. Robert Kwesiga appreciated the government and everyone else who has already tried to help, but emphasized that there is more that still needs to be done “When such disasters happen in Uganda, we as Uganda Red Cross always call upon Ugandans and none Ugandans leaving in Uganda to stand with and support their brothers and sisters without entirely relying on the government. There is no amount of support that is enough, there is always more to be done especially for long term preparations for such occurrences” he said. According to information from the Uganda National Meteorological authority, heavy rains are still expected in the eastern part of Uganda. This means these districts are still highly exposed to heavier disasters including floods, mudslides, and disease outbreaks. Support raised from this appeal will help Red Cross prepare communities and take on urgent emergency preparedness and response plans to save lives of people. On disease outbreaks, Kwesiga emphasized that during such emergencies, diseases like cholera are most likely, given the quality of water and the general sanitation