The Humanitarian A Red Cross Society quarterly publication

April-June 2010

A URCS volunteer demonstrating to communities of Kapelebyong, District how to properly hang a mosquito net

EDITORIAL

In this Issue A Word from Editor

19,800 to access safe water t is now half of the year for the affected communities to vacate Page 5 for the Uganda Red Cross to safer zones. Society (URCS) activity implementation. Good news As more disasters surface in the that a lot has been achieved in country, there is need for more disaster theseI six months. risk reduction interventions. The Red We now share with you some of the Cross and Red Crescent worldwide activities URCS has implemented this year celebrated the International between the period of April-June 2010. Red Cross & Red Crescent Day in commemoration of the late Henry More landslides in We are all aware that Malaria is the Dunant. In Uganda, the theme of number one killer disease not only Page 10 the celebrations was “Strengthening in Uganda but all over the world. Risk Reduction in communities.” The According to the World Health main celebrations took place in URCS Organisation and Ministry of Health Mbale Branch. statistics, 340 Ugandans die everyday as a result of malaria. To avoid such In addition, the URCS launched scenarios, health experts recommend a disaster risk reduction project the use of treated mosquito nets. The in Katakwi and Amuria aimed at Uganda Red Cross Society has over reducing the risk of disasters by a decade supported government’s sensitizing communities about the efforts to fight the disease. And to this, Youth in Apac receive farm possible dangers, supporting them to URCS continues to distribute treated form disaster risk reduction groups. inputs Page 21 mosquito nets to the vulnerable groups; children below 5 years, You will also read about the first ever expectant mothers and the elderly. humanitarian chat organized by URCS The recent exercise was conducted in for Uganda Members of Parliament. Kapelebyong Sub County in Amuria The chat focused on three key issues: district. Amendment of the Red Cross Act, Tax exemption and zero rating on In this issue, you will read about the cholera outbreak in Moroto and how humanitarian supplies, approval of the disaster management policy. OUR MISSION URCS has intervened through hygiene promotion campaigns and awareness To improve the quality of messages to reach 145, 000 people. It The Humanitarian basically highlights life of the most vulnerable a few humanitarian needs URCS people in Uganda as an is hoped through the interventions, effective and efficient people’s lives will be saved. responds to. More information about humanitarian organization our activities can be accessed on our On another sad note, our brothers website www.redcrossug.org and sisters in the districts of Mbale, Sironko, Tororo, Rukungiri faced yet Enjoy this issue. For any feedback, another disaster of landslides and please contact or email sgurcs@ OUR VISION disasters. With the increasing rains in redcrossug.org, cntabadde@ the two regions, the only solution is redcrossug.org An empowered, healthy and self-sustaining community Editor: Catherine Ntabadde that responds to the needs of the most vulnerable Articles & Photography: Hasifa Kabejja, Catherine Ntabadde, Jacqueline Zawedde, Juliet Nyakojjo, Mawa Alatawa, William Male, Geofrey Omara.

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 1 SECRETARY GENERAL Message from the Secretary General

The Secretary General (c) at one of the URCS functions, looking on are Hannington Segirinya, Chairman National Youth Council (l) and URCS Board Chairman Tom Buruku (R)

ur second quarter came with outbreak of diseases which the conveyer belt but the assistance has been eventful. we have been able to contain with the was yours. We rolled out on our Ministry of Health and various district regular programmes health authorities. This gesture should be encouraged O and to all those that contributed in on the one hand and Owe were there to address the needs of While we focused on community one way or the other, URCS extends every disaster that befell Ugandans. disaster risk reduction, we were called its gratitude. This spirit is now being Our aspirations remained the same into action in Eastern and Western nurtured and it should be encouraged and the spirits high. Uganda addressing landslides and to grow. floods especially those that killed over The Uganda Red Cross Society 350 people in Bududa district. We I also wish to thank all our volunteers, (URCS) continued to with the process continued providing relief to those members and staff for the tireless of achieving planned targets for its camped in Bulucheke and provided effort put in. Please keep it up as regular programs for the year 2010. As assistance to all other households we strive to serve and improve the you will read on, we were very active in that were affected in Eastern and quality of life of the vulnerable the health sector with our programmes Western Uganda. people in Uganda. in Blood Donor Recruitment, First aid, Road Safety and Emergency The support came from everywhere; Health, HIV/AIDs/TB, Malaria government, corporate bodies, devel- control, Water and Sanitation as well opment partners, individuals and civil Michael Richard Nataka as Reproductive Health. The rains society organizations. While we were SECRETARY GENERAL

2 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT

*The department’s objective is to improve the health status of vulnerable and affected communities by reducing morbidity and mortality arising from common diseases and health emergencies. Amuria Sub branch Expectant mothers, children below 5 years receive mosquito nets BY CATHERINE NTABADDE mosquito net can save distribution of mosquito nets is part a mother and unborn of URCS prevention and home care child. With the increasing HIV/AIDs project supported by Amalaria incidences in Danish Red Cross. the country, the rural communitiesA are incapacitated to Kjoerup said she was happy that afford a mosquito net due to the Danish Red Cross is supporting the poverty levels. This means they will 2 year programme. spend more money treating Uganda’s Nataka said “We are proud to number one killer disease. have continued to support this For the people of Kapelebyong Sub area especially that the region has County in , Eastern experienced a number of problems.” Uganda, this wont be the case as the He appealed to the beneficiaries Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has to use the nets and sleep under them to avoid contracting malaria. provided free long lasting insecticide URCS Deputy Secretary General Dr. Bildard Baguma Nataka said URCS volunteers will handing over mosquito nets to some of the treated nets. The beneficiaries are beneficiaries in Kapelebyong mainly pregnant women, children be moving house-house to educate below 5 years and female headed those that may be ignorant on how Obigah called for continued households who are more vulnerable to hang the nets. partnership between the communities to malaria. At the distribution, a demonstration and URCS. The goal of the mosquito on how the net should be properly net distribution is to contribute Joy filled the beneficiaries as they to the National Malaria Control received the nets from URCS team hanged was conducted. Nataka hailed Danish Red Cross for its support Programme goal of controlling and that comprised of URCS board health preventing malaria morbidity and and care committee chairperson towards the project and the district for the continued partnership. mortality especially among pregnant Rose Obigah, Northern Eastern women and children under the age Representative on the board Martin Ocen told the gathering that URCS of five. The purpose of the project, Otuba, Secretary General Michael is known on ground for its work. He according to the Malaria Programme Richard Nataka, and Deputy Secretary narrated how the URCS has been a Officer Daniel Musoke is to increase General Dr. Bildard Baguma on May major player in times of need like the household long lasting insecticide net 7, 2010. 2007 floods, the Karamajong warriors. ownership in Kapelebyong County. He encouraged the beneficiaries to 11,000 mosquito nets were distributed URCS proposed intervention in the at the function graced by the Amuria become members of URCS Amuria branch. area will build on the lessons learnt LC 5 Chairman Julius Ocen. The of previous URCS net distribution distribution was made possible He also hailed URCS for its extensive experience to ensure greater success. by Danish Red Cross, the funders interventions towards landslides of the project. Danish Red Cross victims in Bududa. He appealed to Country Representative Charlotte the locals to provide support towards Catherine is the Senior Public Kjoerup attended the function. The URCS interventions. Relations Officer

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 3 HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT

Case Study: How Red Cross mosquito nets have changed lives in Eastern Uganda

Malaria Interventions ( Branch) Ado Jessy, listens to a Uganda Red Cross volunteer as he explains to her the importance of using long BY JULIET NYAKOJJO lasting insecticide treated nets.

ugust 2009, Ado Jessy know how to use let alone hang them. of treated mosquito nets as the best of Omarai village , in Being illiterate, she could not read the malaria prevention strategy. AOriamo parish, Alwa sub information written on the flyer she ‘’Thank you very much Red Cross, county in Kaberamaido received during the distribution of you saved my children’s lives, you have district had the life of nets. helped me save my money, I have not herA family members improved when Uganda Red Cross volunteers visited spent any money on treating malaria she received long lasting insecticide since the nets were put up’’ said happy treated mosquito nets. her home on one of the days during the house to house visits. She was Ado. She did not see her children suffering from malaria in a long time She is a mother of five; Enamu educated on the causes, treatment/ and according to her it’s because they George 11years, Agweo Charity 12 management and effects of malaria. have been sleeping under the nets years, Abilaki Simon 10 years, Akello A flyer containing information on the every night. Jane 3 years and Eyanu Chris 1 and best/proper use and maintenance of half years. treated mosquito nets was given to Ado also said that she was able to save her. The volunteers also helped to some money to buy some cassava A few months ago her youngest son hang the nets that she had received cuttings that she managed to plant was suffering from malaria and had over the available sleeping places during the rainy season. ‘’I will not been hospitalised, and she spent about in her house. The volunteers also luck food and I am sure my children forty thousand shillings (40,000) on advised her eldest daughter to always are safe from malaria’’, said Ado. hospital bills. A few days later the same read such information for her mother son suffered from malaria again even so that it helps her understand more Juliet is the Project Officer Hang after she was given nets. She did not about proper use and maintenance Up project

Ado Jessy being helped by a red cross volunteer to understand the pictorials on best use and maintenance of long lasting treated mosquito nets.

4 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT

19, 800 access safe water in Eastern Uganda

Water and Sanitation (Iganga, Mayuge, Kamuli and Tororo branches)

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE

p to 19,800 people in been constructed to continue operation and maintenance funds from the eastern districts providing safe water to over 6,750 the water users. Safe water practices Uof Iganga, Mayuge, households comprising of 33,750 have been put into consideration Kamuli and Tororo dwellers. This was made possible through sensitizations. These include are now able to access through the formation of 144 boiling water for drinking or treating Usafe drinking water from 22 protected Participatory, Hygiene and Sanitation it with water treatment chemicals at springs, thanks to the Uganda Red Transformation groups who have household level. Cross Society. been trained and followed up to ensure good hygiene and sanitation practices. Community members have also According to the Assistant Health As a result, 4,320 households have improved on their hygiene practices Officer, Health and Care department, basic household sanitary facilities like washing hands i.e. after using the Rogers Mandu, 3,960 households like latrines, refuse pits and bathing latrine, before eating food and before have benefited from the water and shelters which are in proper use. handling or serving food. sanitation hygiene promotion project carried out in the region during the Mandu revealed that communities period of 2009. can now properly manage their water sources with trained water user Jacqueline is the Communications In addition, 27 shallow wells have committees and through collection of Assistant.

Shallow wells have been constructed to continue providing safe water to over 6,750 households comprising of 33,750 dwellers.

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 5 HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT

Uganda Red Cross joins Government in Road Safety drive

Road Safety interventions

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE URCS Staff & volunteer’s marching in during the road safety week.

n support of the Uganda Cross Road Safety Clubs participated road users for a long time. On top IGovernment road safety efforts in this procession. The schools of this volunteers were deployed at through Uganda National Roads included Buloba Church of Uganda dangerous crossing points at different Authority (UNRA), the Uganda Primary School, Eliana Junior School, locations in Kampala during the week Red Cross Society participated Nakasero Primary School and Josam to assist school children to safely inI this year’s National Road Safety Primary School. cross roads to and from their schools. Campaign Week from 29th March Approximately 34,762 children and to 1st April 2010. This was aimed 24 Road safety training sessions were adults were helped to safely cross at increasing road safety awareness held in schools in the four representative roads at different locations from 30th among primary and nursery school branches reaching a total of 10,096 March to 2nd April 2010. going children and the general public pupils. Prior to the training sessions, In his speech at the launch of the under the representation from four URCS road safety facilitators were week, the Secretary URCS branches of Kampala South, oriented on General of URCS Kampala Central, Kampala West, and key messages Mr. Michael Nataka Kampala North. and facilitation skills by commended the work The activities which were held under their Branch that Uganda National the theme “Road Safety, our Shared Coordinators The Uganda Red Roads Authority and Responsibility”, mainly focused on to ensure Cross Society URCS volunteers were increasing road safety awareness uniformity participated doing in safe guarding through training children in safer road and common in this year’s the lives of all road usage and ensuring safe crossing of messaging. users in Uganda. He also roads to schools. National Road appreciated the Ministry The URCS Safety Campaign of Works and Transport, One of the activities which graced the working in Week. ICCU, AAU and Vachi Road Safety Week was the colorful collaboration Communications for matching procession from Railway with Kampala their support and Station Park to the launching grounds Academy cooperation. “We are at Pan African Freedom Square. A and Kiira optimistic that with total of 20 volunteers from the four Road Police was able to paint a zebra continued sensitizations, the road participating Red Cross branches and crossing at Kampala Academy along carnage in Uganda can be greatly 90 school going children from four Kisaasi road. This was a black spot reduced as we look at Road safety as member primary schools of the Red which had targeted these vulnerable our shared responsibility”, he said.

6 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT

Cholera hits Moroto: URCS in hygiene promotion campaign

Emergency Health (Moroto branch)

BY CATHERINE NTABADDE

he cholera outbreak that enabling facilities leading to poor waste “We supported water quality analysis hit Moroto district recently disposal especially in the urban areas, of 15 water sources in the 20 cholera may not be contained very where the situation is complicated by affected villages in Moroto municipality Tsoon due to the poor latrine poor food handling practices amongst and Nadunget sub-counties in Moroto coverage. The district health the many road side food vendors. district,” Nataka added. Tofficer Dr. James Elima says latrine coverage in the district is only 10%. A cholera treatment centre was URCS is to procure and distribute established at , 50,000 pieces of water purification Despite of the poor latrine coverage and according to URCS Moroto Branch chemicals (Aqua Safe tablets) to support cultural beliefs among the Karimojongs, Coordinator Bena Lolem. The affected purification at source and household the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) sub counties are Nadunget, Municipality levels targeting 2,500 households in the is stepping up its efforts to sensitise North, Municipality South, Katikekile, the affected communities about proper Rupa, Lopei, Matany, Loteme, Iriri, 20 affected villages. hygiene and sanitation. Nakapelimen and Lokopo. In addition, the organisation will provide URCS committed USD 160, 969 The URCS Secretary General Michael 5,000 pieces of clean water containers (oversh345m) as part of its humanitarian Richard Nataka said the main objective to maintain safe water chain. work to deliver immediate assistance of the URCS interventions is to reduce As a way of decreasing the cholera to 145, 000 persons affected by the the spread and transmission of cholera epidemic mortality, URCS is procuring outbreak in Moroto, Karamoja sub in Moroto by ensuring access to safe region. The outbreak happened in May water, sanitation and hygiene supplies two cholera treatment kits for the 2010. and raised community awareness treatment of 400 patients. These kits leading to improved hygiene behaviour will also be used for future cholera URCS is supporting the prevention for 145,000 people. outbreaks in the country. of cholera and control interventions by promoting intensive health and/or hygiene promotion and supporting water safety to over 145,000 beneficiaries from 20 villages in the 3 affected sub- counties of Nadunget, North and South divisions. Nine people have so far died while over 557 people were affected. Over 70 patients were admitted. However, most of them have since been discharged.

The situation was worsened due to lack Dr.Peter Eriaku, Programme Officer for Karamoja with of latrines coupled with inadequate safe elders infront of a pit latrine. the Cholera outbreak in drinking water, general lack of sanitation- Moroto is attributed to poor latrine coverage

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 7 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

*The major objective of the department is to strengthen community resilience and institutional capacity to respond and reduce the impact of disasters Red Cross to rehabilitate Northern Uganda through improved livelihoods

Rehabilitation of Northern Uganda (Gulu and Kitgum branches)

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE s the internally displaced Kitgum Town Council in Kitgum Kitgum has been hit hardest. In turn, persons return to their district. The project started off in there are many latent conflicts which Acommunities, water, January this year. exist between individuals, families, ethnic groups, and between civilians sanitation and hygiene Other partnering institutions in and government authorities. Although remain a key challenge the WASH campaign are UNICEF, the situation has improved lately and toA communities in Northern Uganda. AVSI, ACF, CONCERN, CARITAS, many displaced people returned to ASB,GOAL COOPI, AMREF, AID But this problem will not last for long, their homes and livelihoods, it has left AFRICA, PSI, OXFAM and LWF, thanks to Uganda Red Cross Society long term effects upon them. which will be implementing a WASH the Uganda Red Cross Society has project. This has been made possible come up to fully assist the population Generally, access to basic services in Northern Uganda as much as remains problematic in the areas of by ECHO. possible to attain conducive standards return. Health facilities are in poor The beneficiaries of the 10 months of living. condition, there are limited health personnel and medical equipment. project will be conflict affected Northern Uganda holds a large HIV/AIDS remains a major challenge people that have recently returned to proportion of the country’s population as the incidence of infection is their ancestral villages. These are the which has been affected by violence estimated at 12% according to the sub-counties of Pabo and Amuru in and war over the last two decades. The Ministry of Health. Amuru district, Bungatira, Bardege Acholi sub region, covering the four and Laroo in , and districts of Gulu, Amuru, Pader and According to URCS Deputy Secretary General Dr. Bildard Baguma, access to essential WASH services in the areas of return is poor and has actually dropped over the past years in some areas as people move away from good facilities in the camps to areas without any facility at all. In the Acholi sub-region, the most common diseases reported both by district sources and households are respectively malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhea disease. The region is also prone to outbreaks of epidemics. In 2008 Hepatitis E hit Kitgum and Pader districts with more than 8200 cumulative cases reported and 126 deaths, 37 weeks after first One of the case was confirmed. Cholera outbreaks communities in also occur, the last one being in 2007. Northern Uganda which will benefit from The URCS intervention will ensure the NURO project to page 9

8 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Red Cross to rehabilitate Northern Uganda from page 8 through improved livelihoods that returnees have access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene and adequate amounts of healthy food, to improve the general health status. Dr. Baguma said the proposed action aim at distributing environmental sanitation kits at parish level to enable interested families to dig their own latrines and address additional needs in the field of sanitation. Families with their own latrines will get a 3 liters jerrycan to enable them have a hand washing facility on the facility. According to the project document, a very important part of the action is hygiene promotion aiming at people adopting most critical hygiene practices. This process will be implemented in very close collaboration with the responsible government officials from the different Directorate of Water Development as well as other actors involved in the provision of safe water. During the subsequent years of conflict the URCS has been able to successfully implement programmes in the areas of Food Security, WASH, HIV and AIDS/Gender Based be a continuation of these activities Violence. given the fact that many challenges remain to be addressed. Families with In addition, the URCS has been very their own active in distribution of essential house Among the activities to be carried holds items and health interventions. out under the WASH project are latrines will get a Throughout the implementation of its developing Participatory Hygiene 3 liters jerrycan core activities, the URCS has received and Sanitation Transformation to enable them technical and financial support from (PHAST) tool kits, training of 72 Red Cross partners as British Red PHAST groups each consisting of have a hand Cross, American Red Cross, Germany 25 members, implementing a mass washing facility. Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, hygiene promotion campaign using Swedish Red Cross and Netherlands appropriate communication methods, Red Cross. regular village cleaning campaigns The current URCS hygiene promotion organized by URCS volunteers, program in Acholi (Northern Uganda) monthly health inspections and sub- is being implemented with the funding county meetings by hygiene assistants support of the Swedish Red Cross and local authorities among others. monitor all field activities and together (SRC) and the technical support of with assigned project staff prepare the ICRC. This proposed action in During implementation of the project, the necessary quality documentation Acholi is designed in such a way as to URCS volunteers will continue to and reports on a monthly basis.

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 9 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Landslides ravage Mbale, Rukungiri

Disaster Response (Mbale, Sironko, Tororo, Rukungiri branches)

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE

t least eight people have been confirmed dead and A1,500 rendered homeless after a new wave of floods and landslides hit theirA residences in eastern districts of Sironko, Mbale and Tororo as well as western districts of Kabale, Rukungiri and Kanungu. The landslides have displaced over 400 people and destroyed gardens in Mbale alone. This comes barely two months after another devastating landslide buried three villages in Bududa killing at least 350 people. Three of the dead were children whose bodies were recovered about URCS volunteer’s distributing relief items in Mbale two kilometers away from their homes. These were Amina Nandutu Nabutuwa said, “660 survivors are Elgon. Kenneth Nasasa, 39, Akisoferi 13, Juma Kyikumi 10 and Namusilo camped at Bumatanda Primary Nabende and David Masoboni, 27, Manisula 6 all residents of Makyese School although we are advising them were walking home after shopping village in . Nine villages to go back to their relatives in order in the near by trading center when were affected and these are Upper to reduce the risks of pandemics like landslides buried them. They were and Lower Bukwana, Upper and cholera and dysentery”. only discovered when someone saw a Lower Bunabuloli, Bunadudu, Gumu, torch and a hand of a human being. Bukwaga, Kitumba and Lusamente. In the meantime URCS has beefed up its humanitarian efforts by distributing “Immediately I saw a hand of a 0The tragedy took place on 15th May essential households to the people in human being, I made an alarm. People 2010 when torrential rains that lasted this camp. According to Nabutuwa, came and we started digging. We three hours from 10:00pm to 1:00am the essential household items include retrieved the bodies that had broken swept through the villages carrying 132 jerrycans, 198 bars of soap, limbs and shattered heads,” said Atana along mud and big stones down 330 plates, 132 mosquito nets, 132 Walimbwa, a resident. the slopes of the hilly area. Kevin saucepans, 198 blankets and 330 cups Nabutuwa the Uganda Red Cross have been handed out to the people. 300 houses collapsed and are soaked Society Regional Programme Officer in water. According to Nabutuwa, 10 for Disaster Management in Mbale In Sironko, three people were buried sub-counties were affected in lower Region said that an additional 150 by another devasting landslide that Sironko with the worst being Bukhalu, households are at risk of being swept struck Bugiboni parish in Bugitimwa Muyembe, Samasi, Nabongo and away by the landslides. Sub-county on the slopes of Mt. Sironko Town Council. Food crops

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10 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Landslides ravage Mbale, Rukungiri from page 10 have been destroyed and three schools flooded. 1,200 people have so far been moved to Bugitimwa Primary School in Sironko. URCS together with Mbale District authorities identified 796 households in Mbale to host more than 4,846 people that were displaced by the landslides. The evacuation which was ordered by the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, follow reports of huge cracks in surrounding hills and growing ominous noises URCS volunteer’s distributing relief items to displaced people of what appears to be separating in Eastern Uganda rocks. 20,000kgs of Maize flour and 6,000kgs of beans were provided to the identified host families by the Office of the Prime Minister. “URCS, the district and government will continue to provide support to the host families” said Michael Nataka the URCS Secretary General. In a related development, 721 people in Paya Sub County, where most of Mbale water drains have been affected as a result of floods washing away their houses. The affected people are now camped at Nawire Primary School. A cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Kirewa village leaving two people dead while three others are being treated in URCS Deputy Secretary General Dr. Bildard Baguma receiving a donation . from NSSF for Bududa landslides victims

Meanwhile, over 300 people who The Uganda Red Cross official, maize crops have been destroyed.” were traveling to and from Kanungu Edson Turyatemba said that people in The LCI chairperson for Kamujegye were stuck in the Enengo gorge at a radius of 10Km have been affected. village, Domiano Kasigwa said the Nyakagyeme after landslides blocked landslides started at around 10:30pm He said, “Several acres of banana, the road at Kamujegye in Rwerere, on Saturday during a heavy downpour Rukungiri district. cassava, beans, potatoes, coffee and that lasted for over eight hours.

In Sironko, three people were buried by another devasting landslide that struck Bugiboni parish in Bugitimwa Sub-county on the slopes of Mt. Elgon.

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 11 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

(Mbale, Sironko, Tororo, Rukungiri branches) More contributions towards the URCS relief efforts in Eastern Uganda

In our Jan-March 2010 issue, we published some of the james Kalengwa and clothes and shoes companies that donated funds and in kind towards the Family Uganda Red Cross Society sh2billion appeal. We now Kitante Primary School basins, clothes, soap, sugar bring you more companies that made various donations. Kenneth Roy Byangwa clothes The Uganda Red Cross Society is grateful to all companies and individuals for their humanitarian heart towards our St Joseph Nagalama clothes interventions. ICRC essential household items Bugisu Cooperative assorted clothes Cash donations School FAO assorted clothes Name Amount Parliament clothes and cash Blue Tooth 1,000,000 Radio Simba Assorted Items Glad Tidings Bible College 25,500 KIU Assorted Items NFA staff 205,000 CSF Assorted Items Presbyterian church in Uganda 150,000 Inter -Aid Cash and clothes IBERA Uganda Ltd 2,000,000 Institute of Internal blankets Mrs Amongin Margaret 50,000 Auditors Kumi Branch 230,000 International School of essential household items Uganda In-kind donations Watoto Ministries clothes AVSI staff Cash and clothes Name Items AAR used clothes and shoes Euroflex Ltd Mattresses Infectious Disease 910 dollars, used clothes Zawedde Dorothy Assorted Items Institute and shoes Go Lotto soap, blankets Star Pharmaceuticals Assorted drugs blankets, tarpaulins, ropes, Voice Of Africa essential household items Ericsson Uganda ITNS Indian Community Mattresses Riley Media assorted clothes and shoes Development Research 158,000/= and clothes Pilot International assorted clothes and shoes and Training Catherine Twinomugole assorted clothes and shoes Cavendish University assorted clothes Med K assorted clothes and shoes Mildmay clothes, shoes, toys Serena Hotel blankets, linen, wheat flour House of Eden Azur water, safi Entebbe Branch assorted clothes and shoes Mr. Patrick Ndagu Posho Nagenda S assorted clothes and shoes Faridah Nakigudde clothes and children’s bags African Woman Multichoice 10M clothes Magazine Hurinet Assorted Clothes Uganda Drug Authority Jerrycans and Soap Rainbow International Assorted Items Dan Church Aid Food Items School Mrs Juliet K Nuwamanya Fotogenix used clothes clothes - UBTS Staff of Care assorted clothes and shoes Fun Factory and Blue International clothes Cube Miss Christine Bugembe assorted clothes

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12 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

More contributions towards the URCS relief from page 12 efforts in Eastern Uganda

mattress, jerrycan and Name Items Rosette Nakanwagi used clothes Bamasaba Tubana Feesi Assorted Items mosquito nets, powdered Group The Uganda Golf Union FMU Sprint assorted clothes and shoes milk, clothes Knight Frank clothes and shoes Staff of Naads mattresses and clothes Electricity Regulatory Centre for domestic used clothes and blankets clothes and assorted items Authority violence Kampala and Entebbe clothes, shoes, soap and different items CDC/MDC water water vessel maize flour, shoes and Mrs Musoke IDI plastic food containers Olam Uganda clothes Lugazi Sugar Works 2700kgs of Sugar Uganda National Ankole Diocese Assorted Items Maize flour, millet flour, Chamber of Commerce sanitary Mbale Diocese 3700kgs of maize flour & industry MUBS Assorted Items War Child Holland assorted clothes Kumi University Assorted Items Staff of Uganda Baati clothes Step Radio Mbale Assorted Items Shirley Gyera Batungi 50,000/= Essential household kits clothes, maize flour, beans, UNICEF NSSF Staff and shelter tents sugar Hana Secondary School Assorted Items Aquarculture Research Nsangi and Development used clothes 170 blankets and assorted UNATO program clothes

URCS treasurer Stephen Mutenyo receiving a donation towards the support for Eastern Uganda from Institute of Internal Auditors

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 13 PICTORIAL

Prof. Iarsis Kabwegere Minister for Disaster Preparedness inspecting Red Cross stall at Malukhu gounds Mbale during the Red Cross Day Celebrations.

Children washing their hands in Bulucheke camp-Eastern Uganda

Displaced people receive food in Bulucheke camp during Easter time

Speaker Edward Ssekandi speaking to journalists after opening the URCS Humanitarian chat

The URCS Secretary General Michael Nataka presenting to The Senior public Relations Officer Catherine Ntabadde helping Minister for MPs at Parliament. seated are board chairman Tom Buruku Disaster Preparedness Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere adon a URCS lapel pin and vice chairman Robert Ssebunya

14 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 PICTORIAL

Amuria district LC 5 chairman Julius Onen, URCS Secretary General Michael Nataka in Kapelebyong during the distribution of mosquito nets

Rogers Mandu-Assistant Health project in a community A URCS volunteer talking to children sensitisation in Mayuge at Bulucheke camp in Eastern Uganda

State Minister for disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru hand- Some of the participants attending the launch of the ing over bicycles to communities during the launch of the Eastern Africa Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation disaster risk reduction in Katakwi Network at Munyonyo

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 15 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Red Cross launches disaster risk reduction project in Eastern Uganda Disaster Risk Reduction (Katakwi and Amuria)

BY HASIFA KABEJJA ganda Red Cross USociety has launched a Disaster Risk Reduction programme in Wera and Kapujan sub counties Uin Amuria and Katakwi districts respectively. The Disaster Risk Reduction programme is aimed at reducing the risk of disasters by sensitizing communities about the possible dangers, supporting State Minister for them to form disaster risk reduction disaster preparedness groups and helping them to undertake Musa Ecweru trying out a bicycle given to vulnerability and capacity assessments communities by URCS in order to develop community action plans. faced humanitarian challenges mainly reduction sensitization and assessment The action plans will outline community attributed to the current climate change activities. based disaster risk reduction activities, trends. URCS is therefore proud to The Ugandan Minister of State for including community education and be working with the American Red Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, training, setting up of early warning Cross to build a culture of safety and Mr. Musa Ecweru, said he was humbled systems and implementation of resilience towards disaster reduction by the URCS decision to start the micro-mitigation activities. The micro- and climate change adaption within disaster risk reduction programme in mitigation projects will depend on the the targeted high risk communities in Wera and Kapujan sub counties and the needs identified by the communities Teso,” he said. other National Society interventions but could also include reforestation Mr. Ssebunya urged local governments in various communities. “Ministers activities, drainage improvement and to be prepared to respond to disasters take credit for whatever achievement, support for flood resistant housing. by allocating sub county emergency but it is important to recognize the evacuation centres. He also called for partnership that make us score, Red Speaking at the launch of the Cross inclusive,” he said. He said programme in Kapujan Sub County last the speedy approval of the disaster management policy saying it will be many hazards can be neutralized if the week, URCS Vice Chairman Central population is resilient. Governing Board, also head of the key in guiding humanitarian actors in Disaster Management subcommittee disaster management. Mr. Ecweru cautioned volunteers Robert Ssebunya said URCS will focus against taking bicycles to beer parties. The URCS Deputy Secretary General, He said many companies had donated on scaling up actions which build also Head of Programmes, Dr. Bildard capacity and take into consideration tree seedlings and promised to work Baguma, said the National Society will with URCS to undertake an aforestation priorities of the targeted vulnerable work with communities to identify communities with regard to health programme in the country. “We need to risks and to decide the course of repair the planet that has been damaged promotion, disease prevention, food action. security and other general disaster risk so as to live a better country for our children,” he said. reduction activities. A total of 126 volunteers in Wera and Kapujan sub counties were given Hasifa is the Assistant “Teso sub region has specifically bicycles to undertake disaster risk Communications Officer

16 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The department’s major goal is to build and strengthen branch capacity, youth and volunteer management and community development to improve the lives of the vulnerable. Uganda Red Cross launches countrywide tree planting campaign Red Cross Red Crescent Week (Mbale branch) BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE

he Uganda Red Cross Society celebrated the T151st Red Cross and Red Crescent day in a glamorous event that took placeT at Malukhu Grounds in Mbale district on Saturday 8th May 2010. Apart from commemorating of the founder of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Henry Dunant, this year’s celebrations coincided with a period when Eastern Uganda was Disaster preparedness Minister mourning over 350 people who died Prof. Kabwegyere inspecting from landslides that covered three stalls at the function villages of Nametsi, Kubewo and Bukalasi in the Eastern district of Different entertainment groups mainly gradually rolled out in other parts of Bududa on 1st March. from the Bamasaba tribe livened up the country. This is being done in a the function with traditional songs bid to mitigate the impact of natural The event which was held under the and drama depicting the ill fated disasters that are responsible for the theme, “Strengthening Community period when they lost their dear ones lives of the unsuspecting Bududa Resilience to Disasters”, was graced in the Bududa landslides. landslides victims. by a big number of participants including volunteers, staff and Central Among the activities which took place In his speech Kabwegyere emphasized Governing Board members of URCS, at the occasion were blood donations the need to reduce the burden on the corporate companies, political and and exhibition of the different services land by reducing on the population community leaders of Mbale district, offered by the partner corporate as well as adopting better farming partners and stake holders of URCS, companies and URCS. methods to reduce on the natural disasters. “Natural and man-made Budada landslide survivors and other The Minister for Disaster well wishers. catastrophes are inevitable but we can Preparedness and Refugees, Professor do something to reduce the deaths”, A marching procession from URCS Tarsis Kabwegyere presided over the he said. He blamed the disasters to the Mbale Branch, through Mbale celebrations, representing the Patron rapid population growth coupled with of URCS, President Yoweri Kaguta town and ending at the celebration poor agricultural practices which were Museveni. grounds triggered off the function. a risk to human settlement. The participants led by two cheerful After inspecting the marching brigade “We have adopted poor agricultural bands left a lasting impression on the and the exhibition stalls, he planted practices and these will be our downfall residents of Mbale town who yearned a tree at the celebration grounds to because they have mainly contributed to join the procession. At the main accentuate the tree planting campaign celebration grounds, it was all pomp that had started off from 1st May in and splendor. 19 districts of Eastern Uganda to be to page 18

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 17 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A volunteer demonstrates how first aid is administered at the Red Cross exhibition stall during the Red Cross week celebrations.

from page 17 towards the adverse climatic change. strike but rather to take the job into themes and geographical zones. Nataka I appeal to all of you to take a lesson their hands to offer relief support noted that the move to strengthen from what happened to our friends to the afflicted. He emphasized community resilience of disasters in Bududa to change the way you till that the country needed a policy to was timely because “these disasters out the land especially around hilly regulate environmental activities. He have weakened livelihoods and areas.” He said. He further appealed noted that 20,000 seedlings had been impoverished communities through to leaders to mobilize communities to raised from the National Forestry dynamics such as increasing food plant trees. Authority, Roofings Company and the society to continue in the tree prices, displacement, environmental Kabwegyere appreciated the work planting campaign. degradation, asset losses and exposure that URCS had tremendously done of disease.” towards the Bududa landslide victims. Buruku further appreciated the He called upon all organizations in work blood donors were doing in He said that under the initiative that the environmental management field supporting the National Society’s was launched in Amuria and Katakwi to technically support URCS in the blood donation campaign. He also districts recently, communities were program of planting trees in Eastern appreciated government for the sensitized on the dangers of disasters Uganda. “The Prime Minister’s Office efforts towards the same cause. “We and helped to form disaster risk will continue working with Red Cross thank the government of Uganda reduction groups. to make this a reality.” He said. which has injected 800,000 million shillings to support blood donation in Certificates were awarded to The Chairman of the Central Board the country”, he said. companies, stake holders and of Governors Mr. Tom Buruku urged Red Cross branches not to wait Michael Richard Nataka, URCS volunteers in recognition for their for help from other humanitarian Secretary General called for a full contributions towards the landslides organizations or the headquarters disaster analysis for Uganda, including and floods relief operations in Eastern when such unpredictable disasters determining priority disaster-risk Uganda.

18 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

URCS Moyo branch builds prison resilience Red Cross celebrations

BY MAWA ALATAWA

he delectable sun and cooing of birds in the Teffervescent morning was just another normal day at the Moyo Government Tpenitentiary where over 60 mainly delinquents are incarcerated. They are under-going rehabilitation so that they could be resettled in the society that once alienated them and condemned them to another community where some rights and privileges are tremendously restricted into becoming responsible and respected citizens once again. This was the situation URCS Moyo branch experienced during the Red Community service Cross week celebrations to mark at Moyo prison the 151st International Red Cross week. The volunteers of Moyo Branch flanked by the BGB Vice The branch Chairperson prioritized the spine value and respect of the rights of volunteers and chilling government prison as one the prisoners regardless of their branch governing of the communities where the theme hitherto indulgencies and deviations “building community resilience to that led them to the dreadful board arrived at disaster” could best fit. government Prison. the prison, ready to demystify the The branch planned as core activities To most of the volunteers, it for the prison, distribution of essential was their first time to step at the perception of household items, general cleanness, prison, and just like many people perversion . tree planting and dissemination of with prejudice, were preoccupied URCS ideals and principles. with the thought of working with criminals. without a formal authorization from The branch volunteers and branch the Commissioner General of Uganda governing board arrived at the prison, The Officer in Charge of the prison Prisons is Red Cross henceforth, ready to demystify the perception of James Nzunzu briefed volunteers welcomed the volunteers to the perversion and incarceration to the about the rules and regulations Prison. communities around the prison and governing the Prison. He said the Alawa is the Branch Coordinator- the entire community in the district so only organization that can visit and Moyo Branch. as to impart the sense of acceptance, carry out their activities at the Prison

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 19 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Intensify HIV campaigns, URCS told

Red Cross celebrations (Apac branch)

BY GEOFFREY OMARA

ganda Red Cross “I want to thank Uganda Red Cross He blamed the high rate of HIV Society Apac Branch Society for selecting the disaster to prevalence in the district on mobile joined the rest of the be the theme of the year because business men who lured the poor U we have so many disasters affecting world in celebrating innocent young girls with gifts Red Cross and Red the communities like war, Climate to have sex with them and urged change, Earth Quake and even CresentU week from May 1st-8th, 2010. URCS to work for the poor and HIV/ Aids is now a disaster in build the strong skills to change the the community” Jurua observed. Addressing guests at the climax of the life of the people of across world. celebrations, the Branch Co-ordinator Jurua said the prevalence of HIV/ George Orochi said Red Cross Red AIDS in Apac is becoming a disaster “You need to be advocates on the Crescent Societies usually celebrate since over 70% of the pregnant elements of the group attitudes and Red Cross Week to remind the whole mothers in the district are HIV integrate what ever you are doing world of the existence and the duties of positive most of these are aged with activities of Red Cross activism the Society in improving the life of the 20 and below of which some of and be patriotic in what ever you are most Vulnerable in the Communities. them are on their first pregnancy. doing, “ he advised

“We usually run Red Cross week yearly with a number of activities,” Orochi said. He added that this year the branch conducted community service by cleaning the whole town of Apac, digging the rubbish pits for ten people who are unable to dig, provision of first Aid and blood donor recruitment, erecting shelters and drying racks in the ten household, tree planting, membership recruitment and dissemination. He said cleaning the town and planting a total of 1,500 trees in the two districts of Apac and Oyam is part of the four youth programmes under URCS aimed at improving the life of the most vulnerable in the communities.

He said URCS Apac Branch also donated cups, plates, soya flour and sugar to over twenty identified most vulnerable people in the communities. The Chief guest at the function, URCS patron & RDC the Resident District Commissioner planting a tree as part ( RDC ) of Apac Alex Jurua of the Red Crescent hailed Red Cross for selecting the celebrations in Apac disaster as the theme of this year. branch.

20 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Youth in Apac receive farm in puts Youth empowerment

BY GEOFFREY OMARA

ganda Red Cross Society has donated Ufarm inputs and goats to over sixty youth in the two youth links at IbujeU Sub County in, Apac district

The Focal Person Life Planning Skills (LPS ) URCS Apac Branch Samuel Opio while handing over the items to beneficiaries on the 16th April 2010, said a total of 80 kgs of ground nuts, 30 gum boots, hoes, axes, rakes, pangas and goats were given out to the two youth links of Gwokere and Pibok youth with the support from Danish Red Cross Youth (DRCY) under small scales projects. The elderly receive soap from URCS Apac branch Make sure that you “We wanted you to keep this items should not sell the we are giving out well because what goats which we are Red Cross need is the sustainability transparency amongst the link giving you today of the youth links after LPS projects members and urged other Civil Society because our Members from these links” he lamented Organizations in the district to follow of the board and others from Branch the example of Uganda Red Cross He said the main aim of the project Youth Council (BYC) Society to improve the quality of will be coming here to was to improve the life of out of life of the most vulnerable in Apac. monitor this project. School youths in the war affected areas “If all the NGOs work the way “Make sure that you do not sell the Red Cross carries out its activities, goats which we are giving you today the life of our people will have The Sub County Chief Nixson because our Members of the board been improved and our work Adupa committed himself to make and others from Branch Youth will be more easier” Oyuru said. a follow up on the youth funded Council (BYC) will be coming here He said the sub county council project in the two youth links to monitor this project” he warned. will work jointly with technical staff at the sub county level so The Sub County L.C 3 Chairman that all the Red Cross activities Geoffrey is a youth volunteer in Geoffrey Oyuru called for in the Sub County are achieved. URCS Apac branch

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 21 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Jinja branch in youth exchange to Dar-es-Salaam Youth exchange programme

BY WILLIAM MALE

n the effort of Jinja Branch to and around Dar es Salaam attending. and around the city of Dar es salaam. recruit and retain the youth They have three ways of planting Iand volunteers, the branch At Dar es salaam University where these trees which included: - Planting has continued to organize we visited the Red Cross Branch by fashion, planting by Design and motivational activities for its is involved in the environmental planting by campaign. Imembers. protection, which is done and managed at the university. The entire exchange visit was a The Youth and Volunteer exchange learning activity for participants and visit to Dar es salaam, Tanzania They pick used plastic water bottles, the visitors. consisted 30 participants and papers, computer accessories etc these included the German youth littered around the compound The OD staff of Tanzania showed volunteers, 3 Branch Coordinators i.e. and pack them for recycling. After interest in collaborating with Uganda Adjumani, Iganga, and Mbarara, the packing, they call the companies red cross society in youth and volunteer Branch Treasurer, branch volunteers responsible for recycling to come and programme to train and develop their and the Branch management. pick them at a fee of TSH 300/= per youth and volunteer programme. kilogram thus enabling those picking The most interesting activities and packing (rehabilitated street An agreement was reached with the during the visit included the Radio boys/men who are trained to do this branch to further this relationship in communication, swimming (life work) to earn a living. planning and carrying out joint youth savers) fire fighting and attending activities. the volunteers training camp at Another interesting activity about Kigomboni Island with over 45 the environmental protection was William is the Branch Coordinator youths and volunteers from with in the planting of trees at the university URCS Jinja Branch

Another interesting activity about the environmental protection was the planting of trees at the university and around the city of Dar es salaam.

URCS Jinja branch in an exchange visit to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania Red Cross

22 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hoima Region intensifies membership recruitment Regionalisation (Hoima Region)

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE

oima Region has involved itself in a Hmassive campaign to mobilize, recruit and Hdevelop members as active participants in the communities of the region through the different Uganda Red Cross Society branches in the region which include Arua, Nebbi, Moyo, Masindi, Nakasongola, Kibaale and Hoima. Distribution of essential household items in the region

It has continued to strengthen as well as dissemination sessions. In preparedness and response. There was organizational capacity in Arua Branch blood donation was effective preparation for timely and communication, information, carried out and 1025 units of blood appropriate responses to man-made dissemination, advocacy and resource were collected. and natural disasters. Tracing services mobilization in order to enhance and mitigation mechanisms came in the good corporate image and self- The branches in the region built handy to bring scattered families back sustenance. community capacity to help in together. managing human health emergencies Over 1, 000 people were recruited and diseases, road safety, improve Non Food Items as well as Food as life members, youth senior, youth access to safe and adequate water, and Relief Items were distributed to junior, women groups and youth links, improve sanitation at household and the affected areas. In Masindi for according to the Hoima Report by community levels in targeted areas. example 31 bags of posho, two the Regional Programme Officer for boxes of soap, 13 cartons of salt, Disaster Management/Organisational In Moyo district for example, 10721 four bales of used clothes, one bag Development Terrence Omonya. condoms were distributed to young of ground nuts and six mattresses people to prevent the prevalence were mobilized for the Bududa Activities carried out to ensure of Sexually Transmitted Infections landslide victims. Over 20 Red Cross sustainable improvement in the and the branch participated in a 3 Messages were collected and sent to quality of life of the most vulnerable days malaria prevention sensitization headquarters during the quarter. in the region included training Branch workshop in the district. Youth Coordinators, exchange visits, The successes of the programmes/ training on Life Planning Skills and The region also realized tremendous activities were possible due to team Project Planning and Management results in the field of disaster work with Branch, regional and national headquarters and network with relevant stakeholders in the Non Food Items as well as Food Relief Items District even with the many challenges met. The quarter served as an were distributed to the affected areas. orientation period for the new staff and the second quarter will hopefully be for taking off.

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 23 PLANNING DEPARTMENT

*The goal of the department is to strengthen organizational capacity in planning, monitoring and evaluation and reporting for effective service delivery Eastern Africa Red Cross Red Crescent Planning network launched Networking

BY CATHERINE NTABADDE

he Red Cross Eastern and efforts of the Red Cross and Red Africa Planning Crescent that will make a difference TMonitoring Evaluation in the lives of the most vulnerable and Reporting (PMER) people in this World. Network was launched T The Chairperson of the Red Cross/ on April 30, 2010. Red Crescent East African Network The aim of the network is to build Mr. Michael Richard Nataka said capacities and provide coordination planning, monitoring and evaluation within the East African Red Cross are very vital for any given institution. and Red Crescent Societies. “When you implement activities, it is through monitoring and evaluation The network which was created in that you can gauge the progress, URCS Vice Chairman Robert Ssebunya (centre) with some of the December 2009 is to enable Red make adjustments for effective participants Cross and Red Crescent Planning implementation,” he said. units link up to mutually support each other and address continuing Nataka is also the Secretary General coordinate program planning professional and career development of Uganda Red Cross Society. The processes, implementation activities issues. The network is part of the Red PMER network comprises of Red and evaluation guidelines in an Cross & Red Crescent for East Africa. Cross and Red Crescent Societies of integrated and coherent way. Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Other networks include Lake Victoria The PMER network will have to work Rwanda, Eriteria, Sudan, Comoros, Project, Communication, Health and with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Seychelles, Djibouti, Madagascar, Disaster Management. Network to provide technical support Mauritius, Somalia and Burundi. Launching the PMER network at on decisions related to monitoring and Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, “The Red Cross and Red Crescent evaluation in the Red Cross societies. world wide relies on networks to URCS Vice-Chairman Mr. Robert The chairperson of the PMER intervene in its work. We are the Ssebunya said the Red Cross/Red network Mr. Lawrence Lutaaya said largest humanitarian agency in the Crescent movement is undergoing the committee has been tasked to world and everywhere we operate, the growth in programming and at the develop monitoring and evaluation Red Cross/Red Crescent faces similar same time they are faced with growing mechanism for Red Cross and Red humanitarian needs like disasters,” humanitarian needs and challenges Crescent activities in addition to Nataka explained. that require their interventions building capacity of the organizations through programmes. With PMER, Red Cross and Red in PMER by stabilizing professional “Worldwide the Red Cross and Red Crescent will be able to enhance the and intellectual links. quality of programming in each of Crescent has been at the fore front He said one of the key tasks for the the countries they operate in. to effectively respond to the needs committee was to organize the launch. of the most vulnerable communities In organizations, the planning, The launch was supported financially by in our countries,” he said. Ssebunya monitoring and evaluation the International Federation of Red Cross added that it is through such networks systems help and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

24 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

*The goal of the department is to strengthen organizational capacity in communication and information for a good corporate image. MPs applaud URCS interventions

Humanitarian Chat

BY CATHERINE NTABADDE

For all of us who are here, are carrying out tasks that government there is no one that has not may not be in position to perform, had an interface with the why not support them?” he asked. Uganda Red Cross in our The issues presented to the MPs by constituencies. So when “ URCS are: the issues raised by Uganda Red Cross come to Parliament, I am Amendment of the Red Cross Act sure the MPs will overwhelmingly The Red Cross Act was enacted in support them,” David Ebong, MP 1964 and since then several changes for Maruzi County noted. However for this to happen, the have happened that impact on the This was on May 6, 2010 at the following need to be put in place: mandate and the way Red Cross works. URCS therefore requests for a Parliament Lounge when a team from • Establishing regional disaster speedy process in the amendments of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) centres in identified high risk the various sections of the act. meet MPs for a humanitarian chat. areas. The session was chaired by the Speaker Tax exemption and zero rating on of Parliament Edward Ssekandi. The • Stockpiling preparedness of essential household items for humanitarian supplies humanitarian chat was organized by response URCS to further create awareness Nataka expressed URCS gratitude to about Uganda’s humanitarian needs • Disaster preparedness government for the support in paying for taxes on supplies and equipment and also garner support from the MPs • Environmental management towards URCS humanitarian work. procured by and donated to URCS • Strengthening the ambulance for its humanitarian work through the The URCS team was led by the service systems in the country Office of the Prime Minister. Board Chairperson Tom Buruku with special focus on major high accompanied by board members, ways, city and town services Whereas this is a good gesture but still taxes are paid on the humanitarian Secretary General Michael Richard • Disaster risk reduction Nataka and Deputy Secretary General services. URCS appealed to the MPs The Speaker hailed URCS for its Dr. Bildard Baguma. to consider a proposal to exempt taxes interventions countrywide. “In most on all humanitarian supplies. Nataka In his presentation, Nataka explained cases when such organizations are said the taxes paid by government to the MPs the various interventions set up, they collapse immediately but can instead enable URCS reach more spearheaded by URCS, its level am happy that the Uganda Red Cross communities affected by disasters. of programming and nature of Society has survived and is strong till URCS also proposed a tax exemption partnerships with the respective this date,” Ssekandi said. on all fuel bought by URCS. This is government ministries. He said He added that URCS being a non- based on the fact that URCS incurs URCS has a big focus for developing commercial organisation that supports substantial operation costs arising a comprehensive humanitarian government’s work all over the from taxes levied on the fuel. This preparedness and response mechanism country deserves adequate support money can be used to reach out to for disasters in the country. from government. “If these people Uganda’s vulnerable people. to page 26

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 25 COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

MPs applaud URCS interventions from page 25

Approval of the Disaster retreat to finalise its formulation. She Betty Anywar, Woman Representative Management Policy said that when URCS seeks support in Kitgum hailed URCS for its work. Parliament, the MPs will support the “The Red Cross has always been there URCS called for the speedy approval requests because every MP has a story for our people in every part of the for the Disaster Management Policy to tell about URCS. which is being formulated as this country and I appreciate your efforts,” will strengthen the environment for Baba Fred MP for Koboko County she added. provision of humanitarian services in and State Minister in the Vice She appealed to her colleagues to Uganda. President’s office applauded URCS find mechanisms of contributing for its good move on risk mapping a percentage to URCS, adding that Government budgetary allocation to and risk reduction strategies. “I the sh20, 000 fee charged for life the Red Cross Activities want to thank the Red Cross for this membership by URCS “is too little As the leading humanitarian important strategic move in these for an MP.” organisation in Uganda, the URCS is areas,” he said. operating under a very meager budget On issues of tax exemption, Barbara Kawuki, MP for Busiro as compared to the mandate and the Baba said it is only the Finance Nortth recognized URCS efforts in humanitarian needs in the country. Ministry that can provide the tax the country. She however appealed Over 95% of the support for the exemption. He advised the URCS to URCS partner with MPs in the humanitarian activities is funded by to make a special request to the localities where Red Cross activities Sister Red Cross and Red Crescent Finance Ministry through the are being implemented. Societies in developed countries. Office of the Prime Minister for In times of a major disaster, URCS the tax exemption. The minister Rukia Chekamondo,, Woman makes special appeal both locally and however cautioned URCS about representative Kapchorwa and internationally for support. the fuel zero rating whereby if State Minister for Investment also granted it should not be abused by hailed URCS for its work in her URCS therefore appeals for non members of URCS. constituency. She informed URCS government consideration through that in the Finance Ministry, there is To this, the Secretary General a direct budgetary allocation to a public-private partnership through explained that URCS is installing a the URCS to enable it increase on which URCS can benefit. “We should humanitarian service provision in tracking system in all its cars which can involve everybody to support the areas of preparedness, risk reduction monitor actions of drivers wherever work of URCS,” the minister stated. and response to disasters. they may be. Speaker Ssekandi hoped that the issues raised by URCS can be passed when they get to Parliament. The Board Chairman Buruku appreciated MPs for availing their time for the humanitarian chat and for their approval of a supplementary budget to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and URCS for blood safety that will increase the availability of safe blood in the country. Kabakumba Matsiko MP for Bujenje County and Minister for Information said at the time of the Humanitarian Chat, the people concerned about the Disaster Management Policy were in a Some of the MPs during the session

26 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT

*The goal of the department is to strengthen procurement, transport and warehousing management systems within the National Society structures. Red Cross acquires state of art trucks Transport

BY JACQUELINE ZAWEDDE

ive new state of the art activities in the country. In addition, will build the capacity of drivers by trucks have been received they will be used to beef up the URCS driving the latest models in trends of Fby the Uganda Red Cross 3rd party transport provision to other trucks. Jeff Serunjogi the Head of Society to be part of the humanitarian agencies for example Logistics said, ever growing National WFP and UNICEF. “The trucks are fitted with a satellite FSociety’s transport fleet. The trucks The acquisition of these trucks is an monitoring system which means were supplied by the International indication of the trust and confidence that the fleet manager will be able Federation of the Red Cross and Red that the federation has in Uganda Red to monitor the location of the Crescent fleet base from Dubai. Cross. URCS is the only National trucks throughout the country and The Scania model tracks will be used Society with such state of the art immediately detect any abuse of office for URCS’ relief operations and trucks in the movement. These trucks at the click of the mouse!”.

One of the New Scania Trucks received by URCS

The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 27 RED CROSS PLAZA.

URCS is to embark on the construction located at the current URCS premises on of its headquarter master plan in August plot 28/30 Lumumba Avenue. 2010. Construction will last for 2 years. For details, contact the Secretary Our readers are encouraged to book General’s Office:[email protected], space in this magnificient building to be 0776- 312001

28 The Humanitarian-April-June 2010 Ordina/Netherlands Red Cross Mission

A team of 9 experts from Ordina, Esteem work and Netherlands Red Cross were in the country for one and half week to support Uganda Red Cross Society build its capacity in ICT, Planning, monitoring and evaluation and setting up income generating activities like Internet Café for Hoima region.

A cross section of URCS management team and members of the Ordina team attending a debriefing session at URCS headquarters.

URCS Secretary General (in middle) Michael Nataka and other staff attending the debrief session.

URCS vice chairman Robert Ssebunya handing over a gift to Esther Vonk, Quality Assurance Ordina. THE SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE RED CROSS MOVEMENT

Humanity 1 The Red Cross movement aims at providing assistance to the vulnerable without discrimination to prevent and alleviate human suffering. Its purpose is to protect life and helath and to enswure respect for human dignity. The movement also promotes mutal understanding and lasting cooperation Impartiality 2 It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. Neutrality 3 To earn the confidence of all, the movement takes no side in hostilities nor does it engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence 4 The National Societies, while auxilaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement

Voluntary Service 5 As a humanitarian organization, the Red Cross is a voluntary relief movement not prompted to all and carry on humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Unity 6 There can be only one Red Cross and one one Red Crescent society in any one country. It must be open to all and carry on humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality 7 The International Red Cross Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

THE UGANDA RED CROSS SOCIETY PLOT 28/30 LUMUMBA AVENUE, P.O. BOX 494, KAMPALA, UGANDA TEL: +256 -414-258701/2, +256-312-260615/6/7, FAX: +256-414-258184 E-mail: [email protected], www.redcrossug.org