State of emergency in Uganda
2007-09-20 16:55
Soroti - Uganda declared a state of emergency on Thursday in the worst flood-affected areas of the country as humanitarian workers tried desperately to reach villages that had been cut off by water.
Uganda was among the nations hardest-hit by floods that had swept across 17 countries in Africa in recent weeks. At least 200 people had been killed across the continent, and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Relief and Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said: "We expected the rains, which have been falling since early August to ease off, but they are getting worse and we are seeing more and more people affected."
A state of emergency allowed the government to divert money allocated for other programmes to the floods. The government also said it hoped the declaration would spur international help.
Martha Amongin, 56, said: "I've lost everything. Life is going to be bad."
Driving rain pounded Amongin's hut for days until the structure gave way, disintegrating into a pile of mud and burying everything inside.
The United Nations chartered a helicopter to airlift emergency supplies to areas, where floods rendered roads impassable.
Geoffrey Edong, the World Food Program's regional chief, said: "We are targeting those in direst need. Many people have had to abandon their homes and are now sheltering in primary schools.
"Until we provide them with support and alternative accommodation they cannot move and the schools cannot operate."
- AP