On the 3rd December, Oxfam flagged off the disaster response initiative in the Mt Elgon Region dubbed ‘’Early Warning Early Action, Strengthening Multi-Hazard Disaster Preparedness in the Mt Elgon Subregion’’. 

Funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), the project seeks to enhance community resilience to shocks and stresses in the Mt Elgon subregion through effective and participatory multi-hazard anticipation actions and preparedness measures.

The initiative – implemented by Oxfam in Uganda in consortium with Caritas Moroto, the Uganda Redcross Society (URCS) and the district local governments is targeting 120, 283 participants in the seven districts of Bududa, Namisindwa, Sironko, Butaleja, Mbale City, Mbale and Bulambuli.

The project will adopt innovative ways to inform disaster risk reduction and response to ensure that communities are able to better respond to disasters. 
Speaking at the Inception meeting of the project at Bulambuli District Local Government, Edward Mwebaze, Oxfam’s Head of Programs who delivered remarks on behalf of the Country Director said, “This project is going to merge indigenous knowledge with the available science and technology to make our communities more resilient to shocks,”

“This project is going to merge indigenous knowledge with the available science and technology to make our communities more resilient to shocks”

Edward Mwebaze - Head of Programs
Oxfam in Uganda

He also added that the project seeks to digitize early warning systems to ensure that communities effectively receive early warning information and that the partners would build the capacity of the district technical teams.

“We want to build the capacities of the district and the communities so that even when the project is long gone, we can have the lessons learnt from it continue to be used to keep our people safe” he said.

In a speech by Jimmy Ogwang the Commissioner of Disaster Preparedness, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) that was read by Solomon Elungat, an official from the department of disaster preparedness, the commissioner noted that the project aligns with our government programming.

Launch of ECHO project in Bulambuli district

His sentiments were reechoed by the Bulambuli district chairperson, Annet Nandudu who also appreciated Oxfam and partners for the support that was offered during the recent disaster response following the floods and landslides that happened in November.

“We’re going to work as a team and offer our support as the district where required to ensure that the project is successful.”

The project comes at a time when the Mt Elgon region is responding to disasters including landslides and flooding which occasioned the loss of life and property and will build upon the successes of the Strengthening Community-led Actions on Disaster Preparedness and Response which was previously implemented in the Mt Elgon region between 2022-2024.

The inception meeting brought together government, district technical and political teams including the Offices of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Resident District Officer (RDC) and implementing partners.