By Nancy Aol

Adjumani

Adjumani district has started feeling the pinch of the El Nino Phenomenon with over 1000 households affected in Nyumanzi Refugee settlement, this was confirmed after an Assessment done by a Joint team including the UNHCR, Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Adjumani district local government (ADLG), Refugee Welfare Councils (RWC) among others.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) on 1^st September 2023 issued rainfall performance for forecast period September-December 2023.
According to the body, the district will experience above normal (enhanced) rainfall for the month of September to late December 2023 which may result to flooding, disease outbreaks like water borne diseases, Increase in malaria cases, destruction of crops, displacements especially in flood prone areas, incidences of hail storms, fish intoxication among others.


LWF staff on a field visit to assess damages

Stakeholders on the District Disaster management committee and implementing partners on Friday September 22, 2023 held a meeting to analyze a rapid assessment report carried out by the Lutheran world Federation (LWF) which highlights the impacts of a heavy down pour on the night of 16 September 2023 that lasted for close to six hours according to the report that has drastically affected Nyumanzi settlement where over 1000 households have been affected disrupting normal life patterns of the settlers with some wondering where to take refuge, the report indicates that bridges, culverts, latrines, churches, and some temporary houses were destroyed.


One of the shelters that was affected after the floods receded
 
Mara Chrispin, the LWF project officer- Disaster preparedness and response said, “This is not the final assessment Report because some households were abandoned and are inaccessible due to the flood waters and we are waiting for more data from the local leaders” “It is important to note that we are all at that risk and we should not target only refugees and when we are doing this report let us engage local leaders “Korina kolodra the district local councilor representing pakelle sub county who doubles as the secretary Production, Marketing and natural Resources stressed.

Doctor Drametu Dominic the District Health Officer emphasized the need for urgent medical stock pile to help curb the anticipated disease burden while calling for community sensitization.

Refugee settlements highly prone to floods and other disasters include, Nyumanzi, Baratuku, Ayilo I, Pagirinya, Alere, Boroli, Oliji, Agojo, Maaji II, III, Olua I, II, Mungula I, II while sub counties of Dzaipi, Itrikwa, Pachara, Ciforo, and Ofua are not exceptional.

In 2020 over 1000 households were also displaced in the district according to the report, recently DCA’s needs assessment of 2021 indicated that epidemic, floods, drought, refugee influx, wildfires are the main hazards affecting districts in west Nile.

COVER PHOTO: Some of the homesteads that were immersed after the flooding last week By Nancy Aol