Flooding in Uganda Threatening COVID-19 Response, Catholic Relief Agency Cautions

Headquartered in Germany and USA, MI is expected to work with local partners to provide the local communities with information on preventive measures against the pandemic.

The floods occasioned by the bursting of banks of four major rivers in the region have led to the destruction of not only homes, but also other infrastructure including roads, bridges, and public buildings such as hospitals and schools.

“The largest hospital in Kasese has had to be evacuated, leaving people there without medical care,” MI Technical Coordinator in Uganda has noted and added, “We will be sending eight ambulances and a medical team to assist health facilities in the district.”

A lack of medical care would be fatal, especially during this coronavirus pandemic, the official has added.

Neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have also experienced ravaging floods that have led to loss of lives, displacement of people as well as destruction of property.

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Health experts have raised concerns on the impact of the disaster on COVID-19 response in the affected countries with Kenya’s Health Ministry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Rashid Aman noting, “Displaced people have been forced to congregate in makeshift camps. This is compounding the Covid-19 response."  

Expressing similar sentiments, the Country Representative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Kenya, Lane Bunkers has been quoted as saying, “In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, inadequate and overcrowded shelters bring a heightened-risk of transmission with the elderly and puts those with underlying health problems at greatest risk.”