Disasters caused UGX 563.2Bn loss in 2020

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek has said that last year disasters caused a loss of 563.23 Billion Shillings.

Onek was on Thursday presenting the status of disasters in the country to Members of Parliament.

Uganda has been affected by torrential rains that led to flash flooding and rising water levels in various parts of the country. This led to the flooding of human settlements and other livelihood activities along Lake Victoria shores, Lake Albert and the banks of River Nile in Pakwach and Obongi district.

“Despite the government efforts to resettle the affected communities since 2020, scores of the population remain either in displacement or at high risk because a slight increase in rainfall always triggers a rise in water levels, Onek said.

He said that as the country prepares for the second rainy season, Kabale, Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts are already experiencing a mixture of floods and landslides that are affecting both livelihoods and critical facilities.

Onek says that all these events have been unfolding alongside other isolated disasters such as fire outbreaks, hailstorms and lightning among others. According to Onek, 186,525 people in 27,629 households were displaced by the end of July 2021.

“ln August 2021 alone, 36,406 persons from 8,775 households have been affected by disasters mainly floods, heavy winds, and hailstorms. Out of these, 1,392 persons from 232 households have been displaced in August. Cumulatively, a total of 222,930 persons representing 36,404 households have been directly affected by disasters from January 2021 to date.

According to Onek, in 2020 alone, natural disasters caused Uganda an economic loss amounting to 563.23 billion Shillings.

He says that the economic loss was distributed across seven key sectors namely, transport and infrastructure (mainly roads and bridges), 206.73 billion, commercial and residential housing 154.21 billion, agriculture 77.37 billion, education 35.44 billion, environment and natural resources 33.75 billion, health 31.86 billion and water and sanitation 23.88 billion. In total, 82 districts were affected out of 135.

Onek added that his office has several requests for relief pending response and that more disasters are anticipated now that the rainy season has started.

He said that there is a need to continue to support the disaster victims with the distribution of targeted food assistance, provision of cash transfers where possible, agricultural inputs–seeds, seedlings, fertilizers and tools.

Onek also said that the affected persons should be provided with essential non-food items for household use, hygiene and sanitation needs, mobile toilets in IDP camps, water treatment kits.

The Minister also says that there is need to undertake a joint early recovery needs assessment in the medium term, to obtain clear and reliable data on early recovery in affected communities and households. Onek says that this will then be followed with quick impact and response to enhance early recovery in affected communities and households through funding of small impact community projects.

According to Onek, the ministry of disaster and that of agriculture have launched the IPC report on the drought situation in Karamoja, and now need resources for Karamoja drought response to mitigate the loss of lives and suffering.

“I also need resources to fund a detailed resettlement strategy for the 30,338 Internally Displaced Persons-IDPs displaced by the rise in water levels at a cost 120 billion Shillings,” he appealed.

The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah appealed to the government to set its priorities right so that the budget proposals are presented before parliament for approval.

Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister said that Cabinet discussed the matter extensively and agreed to come up with standard operating procedures.

She however committed that government is aware of the effects of disasters and will do more to mitigate the impact.

Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance- General Duties said that regarding funding disasters, they have so far released 15 billion Shillings and they project to utilize 62 billion shillings by the end of the financial year that was appropriated in the Contingency Fund.

Musasizi told parliament that beginning next financial year 2022/2023, parliament will see a change in the budget.

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