Ministry of Disaster Preparedness seeks Shs 66 bn to respond to bad weather

The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness is seeking Shs 66 billion as a short-term measure to respond to bad weather effects that have seen more than a million people displaced and at least twenty people dead.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek said that mothers and children have been the most affected and have a wide range of needs ranging from lack of clothes, food and other basic needs to cope with the bad weather amidst displacement.

The minister said: "The problem is even expanding to other areas that have never been affected before. For short-term measures, we are requesting for Shs 66 billion from the Ministry of Finance."

Onek said that the Shs 66 billion will be managed by districts that have been affected by the floods and displacements with ministers of state and the IGG to monitor the funds to ensure that there is no theft or corruption.

The heavy torrential rains, according to Uganda's Meteorological Authority are expected to continue until December.

Onek said that government will continue sending out warning messages to the high risk areas to inform the people that heavy rains are on and they should be on alert.

According to statistics, at least 20 people have so far died from bad weather in the country effects since April and over one million have been directly affected.