Devastating landslide in Uganda - please help the forgotten children!
03.05.2010Not far away from the SALEM village in Mbale, only 20 km by air, a terrible tragedy happened on the evening of 1st March 2010 in the Mount Elgon region in the East of Uganda: a massive landslide of mud, soil and rocks came crashing down and buried the whole village underneath. The force took everything in its path and covered it with a layer of mud some 8 metres high. That evening, 350 people lost their lives, 100 of them were children.
It had been raining heavily for days and the slopes of Mount Elgon in the Bududa region gradually started to soften. First cracks appeared, then terror struck.
‘Everything was swept away’ said the local bishop, visibly moved.
While diggers and bulldozers are clearing up the masses of soil, children are wandering around desperately trying to find their parents. Some of their parents may have managed to find refuge in camps, but others can only be assumed to have died. A further landslide occurred on Sunday at Mount Elgon in the Bushika region. Luckily there were no fatalities, but 120 families lost their homes. The bishop swallows hard and asks – ‘Who are the forgotten ones?’ – “The children!”
SALEM helps!
The SALEM village in Uganda laid down its roots in the Mbale region 30 years ago. Our volunteers at the children’s camp have lots of experience. We can work with local officials and help in three ways:
- SALEM volunteers are looking after the children. They can help with their search for relatives. If there is no-one else, all the children will find a safe haven and further help at the SALEM village.
- The two schools at Nametsi village have been completely destroyed. SALEM can help to get the children back to school recognising that schooling and education are essential for their future.
- What will need to be done to stop this from happening again?
We need to plant trees! SALEM has its own tree nursery and plenty of experience with reforesting. This can, however, only be successful if those affected by this catastrophe are 100% behind this work. It can be done, with our guidance, help and long-term support.
We need to respond quickly and efficiently, and in a way that looks to the future. To do this, we urgently need money. Those affected need our help, and we want to help. Dear SALEM friends, with your help, we can achieve this. Thank you very much!
SALEM bank account details:
Salem International gemeinnuetzige GmbH, 95346 Stadtsteinach
Account No: 255 777 – BLZ 771 900 00, Kulmbacher Bank
BIC: GENODEF1KU1 – IBAN: DE55 7719 0000 0000 2557 77
Reference: Hilfe Erdrutsch Salem-Uganda (Landslide Aid, SALEM-Uganda)
or online here on our website.
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