Uganda flooding update, October 2007

Key roads in the Katakwi district were washed away, but are now being repaired by the Government.

Unusually heavy rainfall from July to November 2007 led to flooding across parts of Africa, including a number of districts in eastern and northern Uganda. However, the floods have now reduced to normal, end of rainy season levels and life is beginning to return to normal. Road access is now good.

The flooding had a severe impact on water and sanitation in the affected areas. In many communities, pit latrines overflowed and several collapsed; creating a health hazard.  This increases the risk of outbreak of waterborne diseases (such as cholera) as the floodwaters recede, but there have been no large-scale problems so far.

WaterAid's response

In response to this emergency, WaterAid's north-east Uganda programme concentrated on minimising the negative health effects of flooding by monitoring water quality and raising awareness of safe hygiene practices using the media and health education leaflets. It also worked with a water emergency working group led by UNICEF and a sanitation emergency working group led by the Red Cross.

WaterAid's partner WEDA is busy catching up in its work with affected communities in Amuria and Katakwi districts. The school and household water and sanitation programme is continuing well (over 400 latrines have been completed and 11 boreholes drilled since the beginning of the year). 

WaterAid and WEDA remain fully committed to helping the project communities recover in close collaboration with other development and humanitarian agencies in the area.