For Immediate Release

Contact: The Rt. Rev. Jackson Nzerebende

bpbende@gmail.com

+256 772 713 736

Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese Appeals for Support after Devastating Floods

The Diocese of South Rwenzori was ravaged by flooding on 1^st May 2013 after a long, heavy downpour of rain. Every river in the Diocese burst its banks and wrought destruction on roads, gardens, and homes.

Five people have been confirmed dead and 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

In the USA, the Anglican Relief and Development Fund is receiving online tax-deductible contributions towards relief efforts. More information is available at this link - http://anglicanaid.net/urgent-disaster-relief-devastating-flooding-in-south-western-uganda/.

In the UK, the Uganda Church Association is receiving “gift aided” contributions. Cheques should be made payable to Uganda Church Association, and mailed to: Charles Woodd, 94 Harnham Road, Salisbury SP2 8JW. Indicate on the cheque that the donation is for “South Rwenzori Floods Appeal.”

The hardest hit areas were Kilembe, Kasese Municipality, Maliba, Kyarumba, and Kisinga. Fifty buildings in Kilembe Valley and twenty buildings in Nyamwamba Zone of Kasese Town have been destroyed; five bridges in the Diocese have been washed away.

Bishop Jackson Nzerebende, Bishop of the Diocese of South Rwenzori, is appealing for support.  “There is an immediate need for food, tents, bedding, household items, water tanks, drugs, and three standby ambulances,” he said.

Bishop Nzerebende further emphasized their long-term needs in three areas: (1) rebuilding infrastructure, (2) rebuilding homes, and (3) intensive rehabilitation of those affected by the floods.  “Our long-term needs,” he said, “are building materials, road construction materials, electrical poles and wires, rebuilding of five bridges, counselors, prayer, and an intensive rehabilitation programme.”

Ugandan television station NTV has uploaded the following stories about the flooding to their YouTube Channel:

May 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlsY77SiBzA&feature=em-uploademail

May  3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kANu7O82iSM&feature=em-uploademail

May 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXj4TSxHyD0&feature=em-uploademail

May 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CesNYVs3lpo&feature=em-uploademail

May 6  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt3xpV4j0Hc&feature=em-uploademail

ReliefWeb Update - - http://reliefweb.int/map/uganda/uganda-floods-7-may-2013-location-map

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