The Uganda Red Cross with support from European Commission Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO), has supported 224 families affected by disasters in Kisoro District with Cash relief.
A total of 224 families from Nyarusiza, Muramba and Bunagana Sub-counties received this multipurpose cash to enable them meet immediate needs such as food, digging kits and shelter restoration.
The Cash transfers follows relief non food items distributed on January 26th after 9 people died in mudslides and landslides that ravaged Kisoro, and left hundreds displaced.
The affected families recieved a total of UGX66.8 Million to enable them develop coping mechanisms.
“Cash transfer helps us to allow people make choices of what they need and this promotes dignity. Instead of just determining what we need to give to the affected families, we then give them money to meet their immediate needs.” Joram Musinguzi, Cash Transfer Program Specialist- Uganda Red Cross.
While speaking to the affected families, Manase Rukundo who doubles as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Chairman Kisoro District Disaster Management Committee appreciated the Red Cross and ECHO for the timely support and considering to give both Cash and non food core relief to the affected families. Mr Rukundo called upon the community to utilise the funds in a way that is befitting.
“I appeal to the people who have recieved Cash to utilize it well and cope amidst the many competing family priorities.” Manase added.
The cash given was based on the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) assessment conducted of 35,000 for food, 30,000 ugx for digging kits plus 300,000 for shelter.
ECHO extended this support through the Netherlands Red Cross led consortium in Uganda.
