Uganda

Ugandan women are some of the most resilient, innovative and adaptable humans you can find, and yet the recent events in Kasese are pushing the limits of even the strongest. The people of the Kasese district have had their lives upended by flooding and rock slides. It began in the middle of the night on May 14. Four rivers in the Kasese district – the Nyamwamba, Mubuku, Nyamughasana and Lhubiriha – had burst their banks. On Sunday, flash flooding caused more devastation. Thousands have been displaced as the waters swept away homes, schools, farms, roads, the hospital and power station.

Concerns and Challenges

While the threat of COVID-19 is looming, the immediate problem for Hope for Rural Women is to help those that have been moved to emergency camps due to the flooding. The government of Uganda has provided provisions, including 200,000 kgs of maize flour, 100 blankets, tarpaulins and jerry cans. But there are more people than there are supplies resulting in many not receiving anything at all.

Hope for Rural Women is unable to check on their members as the town has been devasted sending everyone in different directions to multiple emergency camps.

Emergency Fund

Fortunately, the newly built Aquaponics Fish Farm survived the flooding however it is within the floodplain of the rising waters.

Hope for Rural Women utilized the Emergency Fund to educate its members on the risks of the coronavirus and to procure essential supplies. Hope for Rural Women printed 1000 posters in three local languages to spread correct information on how COVID-19 is transmitted. Members received maize flour for food, and soap and basins for washing.