Uganda Red Cross Society is implementing a disaster preparedness program aimed at strengthening capacities of District Disaster Management Committees (DDMC), District Task Forces (DTFs), Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction groups (CBDRR) and other local structures. This is aid establishment of a well-functioning multi-hazard preparedness and response systems to ensure effective Early Warning and Early Action (EW/EA) with Support from European Union Humanitarian Aid, through a consortium consisting of Netherlands Red Cross, Austria Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC). One of the key activities of the project is training the District Disaster Management Commetti (DDMCs) from the districts of Ntoroko, Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese. These have been trained alongside the Uganda Red Cross Society surge team in Emergency Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The highlighted districts are vulnerable to a number of disasters like floods and landslides. In a bid to promote hygiene and access to clean and safe water, Uganda Red Cross Society has conducted trainings on how to set up an Emergency Water Treatment Unit (kit 5). Unlike other existing mechanisms that might serve the same purpose, the KIT 5 is solarized, making it eco-friendly. The Kit 5 is easy to set up and mobile just in case of a disaster. While training the teams, URCS WASH Manager, Eng. Gracious Kyagaba notes that, “the kit is designed for treatment and distribution of water for individuals during emergency situations, the Kit 5 allows movement of treated water to several distribution points and allows promotion of hygiene.”

The solarized water treatment unit (The KIT 5 is solarize) is one of the measures put in place by the URCS as a response to water and sanitation challenges during disasters and emergencies. This and more among the national society’s Preparedness for effective response measures, all aimed at improving their timely response to disasters. The environment Officer Kasese District, Augustine Koli who also serves as a member of the area’s District Disaster Management Committee in applauds the Uganda Red Cross Society for building capacity towards disaster preparedness at community level through the districts. “This initiative is good because if we as the district people get skills and knowledge, we can help the communities instantly and by the time Red Cross brings assistance we are already set.” Koli said.

Installation of Solarised Community Radios.
In addition, the project has also enhanced community engagement within villages that are affected by floods in Kasese. A mapping exercise with the communities was done through community meetings on Participatory Scenario Planning basing on the March April May (MAM) seasonal outlook. Such sessions are still going on in the sub-counties of Ibanda-Kyanya and Karusandara all in Kasese District. These are to prepare communities for the worst-case scenarios and to come up with actions that work to address the common disasters and hazards.

Solarised community radios have also been installed with an aim of complementing on the existing early warning systems in the communities to support in dissemination of early warning systems. The hotspot communities have also been given Information, education materials emphasising early warnings. The Uganda Red Cross Society plays an auxiliary role to Government authorities and works closely with the office of the Prime Minister to prepare for disasters but also respond in case of catastrophic occurrences. Anticipatory Action (AA) is a growing area of climate and disaster risk management that emphasizes the use of climate services and risk analyses to predict where crises might strike and enable action to prevent or mitigate impacts before disasters occur.

More about the project.
Uganda Red Cross Society  works in a consortium led by Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) to implement ECHO HIP 2021 project, enhancing Community Resilience to Epidemics and Hydro-Meteorological Hazards in the African Great Lakes Region. The project aims at Protection of communities in the Great Lakes region through multi-sectoral assistance, with special attention to the most vulnerable affected by humanitarian crisis.

The Action adopts a multi-hazard approach, including preparedness for refugee influxes, epidemics and natural hazards. The support to the Government and community structures is implemented by Uganda Red Cross (URCS), in partnership with the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The Action is informed by lessons in other Disaster and Epidemic Preparedness and Response projects and aligns strongly with the work of other humanitarian actors.