Dokolo District leaders have urged Caritas Lira and its partner Caritas International Belgium to scale up their interventions in flood-prone areas, citing the district’s continued vulnerability to climate change–induced disasters.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office Lira Diocese
This appeal was made during a stakeholder meeting held at the Dokolo District boardroom, chaired by the Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS), Mr. Orit Denis, and attended by district officials alongside representatives of Caritas Lira and Caritas International Belgium. The visit formed part of a donor monitoring mission to assess the impact of projects launched in the aftermath of floods that devastated several parts of the district.
Mr. Denis thanked Caritas for its swift interventions in communities hardest hit by the floods, noting that Dokolo suffers from recurrent flooding, even in dry seasons due to the changing climate. He however expressed concern that limited funding has restricted Caritas’ interventions to only two sub-counties and four parishes, leaving other affected areas without support.
“Caritas has established structures at the sub-county level where they are working, but because of funding gaps, only a fraction of the affected communities are covered,” he said. “If additional resources are mobilized, more sub-counties will be helped. But beyond funding, we need to identify sustainable measures so that communities can respond and adapt without waiting for handouts.”
The PAS emphasized the need to train communities in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation technologies.
District Leadership Appreciates Swift Response
Dokolo District Chairperson, Mr. James Otoo Apili, applauded Caritas for responding promptly to the crisis without waiting for a formal appeal from the district. He recalled that when floods hit six sub-counties, affecting 1,534 households and submerging homes, boreholes, latrines, and gardens, he made a desperate appeal on radio, even donating cassava from his garden to feed affected families.
“Caritas heard my plea and came to our rescue. That’s why I am very thankful,” Mr. Apili said. He urged his colleagues not to lose the partnership with Caritas, “especially because it is a church organization that reached out by itself to support our people.”
He revealed that he had earlier written to President Yoweri Museveni outlining urgent needs for affected areas, and he was grateful that the support provided by Caritas closely matched those requests. Interventions included the donation of boats, used for fishing, woodlot tree seedlings, tarpaulins, and blankets among others.
Caritas Highlights Achievements
Rev. Fr. Desiderius Pule, the Director of Caritas Lira, commended the district authorities for their cooperation. He noted that since the inception of the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Households and Communities in Dokolo project, 1,080 households will have their climate vulnerability reduced after successful implementation of the planned project interventions, and the district’s water catchment governance and disaster risk response capacities be strengthened.
Introducing Ms. Cathrine Meda, Caritas International Belgium’s representative for Uganda and East Africa, Fr. Pule said the purpose of the monitoring visit was to assess progress of implementation of the project and deepen collaboration with Dokolo district local government and technical supervision. Ms. Cathrine Meda expressed pride in the difference Caritas is making in the district, sub-region, and entire country.
Community Voices from Kachung
Following the district meeting, the Caritas delegation visited Kachung, where local leaders and community members shared their experiences.
Mr. Tony Odongo Kawa, LC1 Chairperson of Awany A Cell, welcomed the team and thanked Caritas for its support. He, however, appealed for mobile toilets, since existing latrines had been submerged, and for clean drinking water to curb the spread of disease. He also raised concerns over malaria due to increased mosquito infestation.
The Chairperson of the Beach Management Unit, Mr. Joseph Odit, reported that the four boats donated by Caritas have greatly improved boosted fishing. Over the last five months, fishing activities generated UGX 9,630,000 million, with plans to add two more boats. He requested an engine-powered boat to improve fishing efficiency in deeper waters.
Similarly, Corporal Ali Babiha of the Fisheries Protection Unit praised Caritas’ interventions and pledged to work closely with fishing communities. However, he noted that the lack of toilet facilities has hindered the establishment of a permanent FPU camp in Kachung.
Government Commends Efforts
Closing the visit, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC), Mr. Jaffar Ochaya, urged the people of Kachung to make good use of the support provided. He commended Caritas and its partners for their commitment, and the FPU for ensuring peace and security in fishing communities.
Mr. Ochaya called on residents to uphold the peace ushered in under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and to embrace resilience as a way forward.
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