The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has trained various District Disaster Management committees of Ntoroko, Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese in mobile emergency water and sanitation management.
The training also included members of the URCS surge team in Emergency Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The series of trainings in these districts that are highly prone to floods and landslides focused on how to set up an emergency and mobile water treatment unit known as the solarised water treatment unit, or Kit 5.
Compared to other existing mechanisms that might serve the same purpose of promoting hygiene and access to clean and safe water, the Kit 5 uses solar energy (‘is solarized’), making it eco-friendly. The Kit 5 is easy to set up and easy to relocate to other areas facing disaster.
In a statement dated March 23, 2023, said the training is part of URCS’ disaster preparedness programme which aims at strengthening capacities of District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs), District Task Forces (DTFs), Community- Based Disaster Risk Reduction groups (CBDRR) and other relevant local structures.
Known as ECHO HIP 2021 project, the programme is financially supported by European Union Humanitarian Aid, through a consortium of Netherlands Red Cross, Austria Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
It seeks to enhance community resilience to epidemics, hydro-meteorological hazards and refugee influxes in the African Great Lakes region.
It focuses on protection of communities through multi-sectoral assistance, with special attention to those most vulnerable and most affected by humanitarian crises.
Eng. Gracious Kyagaba, the manager, WASH at URCS, and leader at the trainings, said, “The kit is designed for treatment and distribution of water for individuals during emergency situations; it allows movement of treated water to several distribution points and allows promotion of hygiene”.
He reported that the project has also enhanced community engagement within villages that are affected by floods in Kasese.
