Fears Of Disease Outbreak In Karamoja As Floods Increase

Heavy rains and floods sweeping across Karamoja are raising fears of disease outbreaks in the region.

Adome Kalisto Lukwi, the Kotido district LC5 chairman says the main concern now is about the looming outbreak of cholera, dysentery, pneumonia and malaria in the region.

 

His worry is mainly on the health condition of the children, women and the elderly, who he described as vulnerable and cannot withstand the cold environment.

 

Speaking to our reporter on Thursday, Adome appealed for government intervention to avert a looming humanitarian crisis. He particularly asked the ministries of health and disaster preparedness to urgently intervene.

He says a number of latrines have collapsed under pressure from the heavy water logging while some people in steep areas have started abandoning their homes as the flood tides swell into their homes.

Karamoja region is facing the worst floods in decades, caused by heavy rains that have lasted for more than two months.

 

The LC V chairman says in some areas it rains twice a day.

 

When contacted, Musa Ecweru, the state minister for disaster preparedness said government is determined to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate.

 

He says his ministry is working closely with international humanitarian organizations that are on the ground in Karamoja, to ensure that government is not caught off guard in case of any eventuality.

 

Ecweru says government is monitoring the situation, adding that it is not worrying as for now. He says apart from the devastations of road network and the Kaabong landslide incident, others are minor.