Families affected by floods in Kwania district are pleading for help saying that the government had neglected them.
Flash floods caused by the rising water levels of Lake Kyoga and Kwania have displaced close to 5000 families in Kwania district, after submerging several kilometres of land and roads and disconnecting communities from accessing social services.
In March last year, the lake burst its banks and submerged the Sub counties of Nambieso and Chawente. However, the floods have now submerged another two Sub counties of Ayabi, Atongtodi and Ayabi Town council and submerged several crop gardens, cut off community access roads and displaced settlements.
The residents now fear that their lives are in danger, amidst looming famine and diseases. Sipririno Omara, an 81-year-old resident of Barokeny Village in Ayabi Sub County who relocated to Aduku Town Council after floods submerged his home and crop gardens, appealed to the government to provide them with shelter, mosquito nets and food relief to save their lives.
Another victim, Richard Omara Ebuk, also the Nambieso Sub County former chairperson has asked the government to provide iron sheets to the flood-affected victims. He says that none of the district officials has taken interest in their plight, since march, when the first floods devastated the area.
Kwania County Member of Parliament Tonny Ayo says he is already in talks with the Office of the Prime Minister for immediate intervention on the plight of the flood victims.
However, Kwania Chief Administrative Officer, Albina Awor, also the district chairperson of the disaster committee said they had identified all affected persons and they would be helped accordingly. Awor said only 700 households from Chawente and Nambieso Sub Counties were identified and given help, out of the targeted 6,000 households.
