In a devastating blow to the residents of Ntoroko District, relentless floods have submerged entire villages, displacing over 24,000 people and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The catastrophe has wreaked havoc on the district’s already fragile infrastructure, with 11 schools submerged, 66.3 kilometers of roads damaged, and 67 safe water points destroyed.
The floods have also decimated sources of livelihood, particularly in communities heavily reliant on livestock farming. A livestock quarantine imposed in 2023 to control foot and mouth disease, coupled with the recent flooding, has left many in jeopardy.
Residents, who have been grappling with flooding since 2019, are now urging the government to find land to resettle the more than six thousand affected households.
The situation remains dire, with fears of disease outbreaks due to the destruction of safe water sources and latrines. “Without quick interventions, diseases like cholera are going to ravage this district,” warned Philip Limlim, UNICEF Western Uganda Regional Chief.
As the community endures crisis, the call for immediate and sustained intervention grows louder, with hopes pinned on a swift response to alleviate the suffering and rebuild the lives shattered by the floods.
