Deforestation has caused landslides, floods and other natural disasters to occur close to our partnership project in the district of Bududa in Uganda. This is one of the main causes for there to be hundreds of orphans in the area, with these children having lost both of their parents in such disasters.
The British Red Cross has responded to the call from the Ugandan politicians to prevent such disasters by planting trees in the Mount Elgon region. So far, 50 000 tree seedlings have been provided by the Red Cross. In this region, most families depend on their land for survival, which in turn puts pressure on natural resources. Over time, this can lead to natural disasters either killing or injuring people and destroying their land and livelihood.
Karen Peachey, British Red Cross representative in east Africa, said: “Such disasters are only going to become a greater threat due to a rapidly growing population, continuing environmental degradation and climate change, which is predicted to increase both the dry spells and intense rains. The programme, which is supported by the British Red Cross, will help communities be better prepared, saving both lives and livelihoods.”
This is an excellent development in the region and must welcomed by the locals. As Samson Matsambwa, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of the Bududa District, put it: “The Red Cross is our first and best partner; they are the first to respond to disasters and the last to leave.”
For the full article, please see link below:
http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/News/2012/November/Ugandan-communities-plant-trees-to-avert-disaster
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