The Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society, Michael Nataka, has advised that more than 8,500 people should be immediately relocated from the slopes of Mount Elgon.
In a report on emergency operations following the Bududa landslide, Nataka says the people most in danger are those living in areas that weren't affected by the March 1st disaster. He says the people most in need of evacuation are residents of the sub-counties of Mukoto, Bukoho, Buputo and Bumbo in Manafwa and Bududa districts.
Heavy rains, which set off the landslide in Bududa, are continuing in much of the Lake Victoria basin, eastern and southwestern Uganda.
According to the Red Cross report, the Manafwa disaster management committee resolved on Wednesday March 31st to sensitize communities living near large cracks on Mount Elgon about the impending danger. Red Cross volunteers are joining in this effort by traveling to villages to encourage residents to leave until the place is secure.
Two sites, Magale town board ground and Namisigwa technical college in Manafwa have been identified by the district to relocate the affected community.
The Red Cross has pre-positioned 100 essential households at its branch offices in Bubulo to be distributed to the displaced persons of Manafwa.
The report also says that in Bukwo district, assessments indicate that 970 people have been displaced by mudslides and floods and require urgent humanitarian assistance.
During a media conference yesterday, Michael Nataka said the number of people in need is growing to provide relief aid to more than 46,000 people affected by landslides and floods in Mbale, Butaleja, Tororo and Bududa.
In Bududa, Nataka said the Red Cross is continuing to work with the Office of the Prime Minister to cater for 3,746 people living in Bulucheke displacement camp. The organisation is managing the distribution of food, essential household items and any other relief from other agencies like Office of the Prime Minister, World Food Program, UNICEF and Save the Children.
A large number of people affected by the landslide are also settled in Bukalasi Sub-County in Bududa. It is estimated that there are just over 700 people living in a camp there.
Not everyone has left the epicenter of the landslide in Nametsi, however. The Red Cross estimates that there are 1,000 people still staying there, who need to be considered for humanitarian support.
