BY JOACKIM KULE
The World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with Red Cross Society Limited will on Thursday this week commission an early warning system that has been installed along River Nyamwamba in Kilembe valley.
An early warning system is meant to alert the people of an increase in the water volumes as an alternative way of curtailing floods from causing havoc.
The Kasese District Senior Planner who is the Disaster Focal Person, Mr. Joseph Singoma made the revelation today morning in his report about the level of disaster management and preparedness in the district to the delegations from the World Food Programme and the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting was held at the District Health Boardroom in Rukooki.
Mr. Singoma, who commended the sponsors of the early warning system, noted that once it becomes functional, it would play a very important role of informing the community members about the changes in water volumes.
In his opening remarks, the Kasese District Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Elias Byamungu who is also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee told the partners that the Local Government has many people who have been displaced from their homes by a repeat of disasters.
According to him, Kasese being blessed with lots of water bodies and hills increases the risk of experiencing floods that become catastrophic to the communities.
Cecilie Gundersen, the Activity Manager for Climate Resilience and Refugee Self –Reliance at the World Food Program, urged the district leadership to enhance the knowledge about the catastrophic management practices so as to harness its associated outcomes.
Ms Catherine Ahimbisibwe, the Acting Commissioner for Relief in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), however, commended the district leaders for being among the model ones in implementing the disaster mitigation measures.
She, on the other hand, underscored the need to improve on the sensitization campaigns against some human activities that increase chances of facing more challenges across the district.
ENDS