Life in Buna

Bududa Disaster Appeal

Dear All, According to media reports 80 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are still unaccounted for as a result of the land slides in Bududa district on Monday night. As national and international humanitarians agencies prepare to respond to the disaster, Elgon Education Foundation (EEF) appeals to all BaMasaaba and well wishers to contribute to helping our unfortunate brothers and sisters in Bududa, during this time of dire need. EEF is an indigenous rural-based, and community- focused education institution, which uses a community sensitisation approach to tackle the severe developments challenges in the Elgon region, some of which were partly responsible for the disaster including land fragmentation and environmental degradation. During this time of need, EEF appeals to BaMasaaba and their well wishers to contribute to those that are affected. EEF’s personnel are on the ground in Bududa and in consultation with the local council authorities are assessing the impact and the needs of the affected people. However, it is clear that hundreds of families are directly affected and have lost their loved ones or their homes. EEF therefore requests BaMasaaba and well wishers to make financial contributions of any amount which will be used to purchase household necessities for those who have lost their homes. The emergency kit we intend to offer the affected household that has lost their homes and property includes two blankets, two jerricans, two basins, two saucepans and a taurplin or plastic sheet for shelter all for about 100,000 shillings. EEF is an indigenous organisation and will be able to carry out assessments of those in need and respond rapidly through making these purchases in Mbale. With a contribution of 100,000 shillings through EEF you will be able to contribute to alleviating the plight of at least one household within 48 hours. With 100 such contributions you could through EEF contribute to alleviating the plight of 100 households. As was the case during the last major landslides in 2007, it is expected that many of the affected families will descend and settle in open spaces in low lying areas such as schools, markets and Sub- County headquarters where they will camp in expectation of humanitarian support, which might be slow in arriving. After this most recent disaster EEF will explore further ways of working with you and other stakeholders to avert such disasters in future. To contribute to our appeal, please make financial contributions through cash or cheque payments, or transfers to our bank account (details below) at any Stanbic Bank Branch and inform me by email how much money you have contributed. Account Name: Elgon Education Foundation Account Number: 0140041211501 Bank: Stanbic Bank, Mbale Branch Please respond to our brothers and sisters in Bududa during this time of dire need. Yours sincerely, Michael Wangusa Projects Coordinator 0772 65 14 65