Rwampara hailstorm victims receive non-food relief items
- FEATUREDNEWSUPCOUNTRY NEWS
- November 28, 2022
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By Our Reporter
Mbarara – Following the recent hailstorms that hit some areas of Mwizi sub-county in Rwampara East which left a number of families in a sorry state, the area Member of Parliament Julius Tusiime Karuhanga in conjunction with Uganda Red Cross Society recently provided various non-food relief items to support the affected families.
Over 100 families in the specific areas that were hit by the deadly hailstorms received the relief. The relief items that included tarpaulins, jerry cans, saucepans, knives, mats, solar lights, hoes among others were donated to the most affected families.
According to the report/assessment and scope of the damages by the disaster as reported to the Rwampara District CAO by the local leaders from Mwizi sub-county, it was reported that there was destruction of properties and agricultural crops mainly banana plantations.
The damage was caused by the hailstorms that was characterized by strong winds of high intensity and floods causing destruction to crops, animals and other infrastructure facilities mainly roads and bridges.
According to the report, the most affected areas were in Ryamiyonga and Kigaaga Parishes in Mwizi sub-county, Rwampara East, Rwampara district.
It was realized that an estimate of about 203 acres of banana plantations were destroyed plus other crops mainly cassava, beans, maize and Irish potatoes. It was also found that one person in Kabaya village, Kigaaga Parish died and three more people were taken to hospital in critical condition.
It is believed that 8 goats and 12 pigs in Kabaya village were swept off by floods of melting ice blocks. In the same incident, about 11 houses were destroyed and 142 iron sheets on roof tops were perforated by hailstorms.
However, farmers from the hilly areas of Rwampara East and Rwampara district at large have been urged to do agro-forestry and grow trees around banana plantations to act as wind breaks so as reduce the speed of the winds in future.
In regard of the aid to the affected villages, government was appealed to give quick maturing seeds and planting materials mainly cassava, beans, sweet potato vines since the rainy season is on.
According to Charles Muzeyikana, the health and environmental protection in-charge Red Cross Mbarara branch said that they have provided these relief items after making an assessment about the disaster that hit some areas in Rwampara.
MP Julius Tusiime, revealed that he gave the support of relief to the affected families but feels is not enough. He asked other well wishers and the ministry of relief, disaster and preparedness to come in to support the affected families.
He also requested families that received the relief items to use them accordingly other than exchanging them for money.