****PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL RELEVEANT NETWORKS**********
PERMANENT MISSION OF UGANDA TO THE UNITED NATIONS=0D
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UGANDA HOUSE=0D
336 EAST 45TH STREET,=0D
NEW YORK N.Y. 10017=0D
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PRESS RELEASE=0D
=0D
URGENT APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF=0D
EARTHQUAKE DISASTER IN WESTERN UGANDA=0D
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At 2.45 a.m. local time on 6 February 1994,=20=0D
a major earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter=20=0D
Scale, rocked many parts of Uganda, causing a=20=0D
number of deaths and extensive damage to=20=0D
Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese districts in=20=0D
western Uganda. Ominous tremors continue to occur=20=0D
at regular intervals, heightening the levels of=20=0D
uncertainty, helplessness, panic and trauma among=20=0D
the many homeless victims of the disaster, and in=20=0D
the region as a whole.=0D
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The Government of Uganda has launched an=20=0D
urgent appeal for assistance to persons affected=20=0D
by the earthquake. Details available on its=20=0D
impact and on immediate needs, based on an=20=0D
initial fact finding mission by government=20=0D
officials to the area, are attached herewith.=0D
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Contributions to the relief efforts can be=20=0D
channelled to the Disaster Relief Coordination=20=0D
Office of the Ministry of Labor=0D
and Social Affairs through:=0D
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The Permanent Mission of the Republic of=20=0D
Uganda to the United Nations=0D
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Uganda House, 336 East 45th Street=0D
New York, New York 10017.=0D
Telephone No: (212) 949-0110=0D
Fax No=09 : (212) 687-4517.=0D
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They can also be made directly to;=0D
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The United Nations Department of=20=0D
Humanitarian Affairs=20=0D
Account No: CO-590-160-1=20=0D
Swiss Bank Corporation=20=0D
Case Postale 2770=20=0D
CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference:=20=0D
Uganda - Earthquake, DHA - Geneva.=0D
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Please be generous.=0D
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New York, New York. March 02, 1994.=0D
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=0D
THE EARTHQUAKE=0D
DISASTER IN WESTERN UGANDA=0D
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Uganda is A Least Developed Country that lies,=20=0D
astride the Equator between the latitudes oF 4 1/2=A1 N and=20=0D
1 1/2=A1 S, and the longitudes of 29 1/2=A1 W and 33=A1 E. Its=20=0D
western part forms part of the East African Rift=20=0D
Valley, and is bounded by the Rwenzori mountains,=20=0D
popularly referred to as the Mountains of the Moon.=0D
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Disaster struck the western region on 6 February=20=0D
1994, when an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter=20=0D
scale, devastated the three districts of Kabarole,=20=0D
Bundibugyo and Kasese. Its epicentre is believed to be=20=0D
in Kisomoro, Bunyangabu county. Since the earthquake=20=0D
first struck, tremors continue to occur at regular=20=0D
intervals, exacerbating the trauma, panic and=20=0D
uncertainty in the region.=0D
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=20=0D
The impact of the earthquake.=0D
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The death toll has so far been limited to eight=20=0D
victims. Nevertheless, the earthquake has dealt a=20=0D
devastating blow to the fragile infrastructure in this=20=0D
rural region; mercilessly damaging hospitals, primary=20=0D
health care centres, schools, roads, veterinary centres,=20=0D
prisons, administrative buildings, commercial buildings,=20=0D
places of religious worship and sites or cultural=20=0D
significance. It has left thousands of residents=0D
without shelter or food, injured residents without=20=0D
access to health care, and rendered accessibility to=20=0D
and communication with, the area a truly onerous task.=20=0D
The cost of the damage is currently estimated at US$ 59=20=0D
million. Efforts are underway to ascertain the short=20=0D
and long term impact of the earthquake.=0D
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In addition to the immediate impact on human life=20=0D
and settlements the earthquake has had ominous=20=0D
environmental consequences, that have yet to be fully=20=0D
charted. A crack in the Rwenzori mountains in Kisomoro=20=0D
district has resulted in the creation of a new river,=20=0D
which is gushing down the valley towards the=20=0D
settlements and agricultural land. There is a well=20=0D
founded fear that this new river will flood the=20=0D
valley, creating a new lake and further displacing=20=0D
thousands of people. The famous hot springs in the=20=0D
region hitherto a peaceful tourist attraction, now=20=0D
emit sky-high jets of red boiling water. Furthermore,=20=0D
massive land slides are expected, once the rains=20=0D
begin.=0D
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It is clear that the earthquake will have an=20=0D
adverse impact on agriculture and tourism in region.=0D
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Response to the crisis:=0D
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Efforts have been made by the Government to=20=0D
address the emergency relief needs of the area. In=20=0D
this regard, Non-Governmental Organizations such as the=20=0D
Uganda Red Cross Society, OXFAM, and church organizations=20=0D
such as the Pentecostal Church of Uganda and the Fort=20=0D
Portal Catholic Diocese are playing an invaluable role.=0D
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A fact-finding mission by the department of=20=0D
Disaster Relief and Resettlement of the Ministry of=20=0D
Labor and Social Affairs, is in the process of=20=0D
preparing a comprehensive assessments of the region's=20=0D
needs. The Government has requested the Department of=20=0D
Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, to assist=20=0D
in the areas of damage assessment, provision of relief=20=0D
and coordination of donor activities. A field agency=20=0D
mission on relief requirements is expected to report=20=0D
shortly.=0D
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Under the overall coordination of the Ministry=20=0D
of Labor and Social Affairs, Committees chaired by the=20=0D
respective District Administrators, have been set up=20=0D
to coordinate relief efforts in the three affected=20=0D
districts.=0D
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Assistance Required:=0D
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On the basis of the initial assessment of the=20=0D
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the areas in=20=0D
which urgent assistance is required include the=20=0D
provision of medicine, blankets and tents. Unipots are=20=0D
urgently needed to serve as treatment rooms, storage=20=0D
facilities and office accommodation. Polythelene materials=20=0D
are required in the construction of temporary shelters.=20=0D
Wireless communication equipment is vital for=20=0D
communication between Kampala, the capital and the=20=0D
disaster struck area. Financial and logistical support to the=20=0D
coordinating team in the field will also be necessary.=20=0D
The Government of Uganda will also appreciate=20=0D
technical assistance for efforts at ascertaining the=20=0D
cause of the earthquake, as well as the extent of the=20=0D
damage, and at forecasting the geological future of=20=0D
the region.=0D
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In the light of the massive damage on=20=0D
infrastructure, the grave consequences on the=20=0D
environment and the incapacity of Uganda - an LDC,=20=0D
presently undertaking structural reform, to adequately=20=0D
respond to the crisis, the Government of Uganda is=20=0D
launching an urgent appeal for assistance from the=20=0D
international community. It is our ardent hope that=20=0D
this appeal for support to Uganda's national efforts=20=0D
at addressing the short term relief and rehabilitation=20=0D
requirements, as well as the longer term resettlement,=20=0D
recovery and development needs of the people of=20=0D
Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese, will elicit a=20=0D
positive and prompt response.=0D
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IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF THE EARTHQUAKE=0D
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Reported Casualties=0D
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Two people in Bunyangabu county, Kabarole=20=0D
District, were killed when their houses collapsed.=20=0D
In Bundibugyo District, two more persons were=20=0D
killed and many more were injured. Reports of more=20=0D
deaths are difficult to confirm because of the=20=0D
mountainous terrain of the district. A huge boulder=20=0D
has partially closed the only road to Bundibugyo,=20=0D
rendering communication extremely difficult. In=20=0D
Kasese District, a rolling boulder crashed through=20=0D
a house killed two people. The total number of=20=0D
reported deaths so far is eight people. Thousands=20=0D
of people have been left homeless, exposed to=20=0D
insanitary conditions, numerous health risks and=20=0D
further natural hazards.=0D
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Schools Affected=0D
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1. Kabarole District=0D
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-Maria Goretti Girl's Senior Secondary School=0D
-Kyebambe Girl's School=0D
-Nyakasura Secondary School=0D
-St. Leo's College, Virika=0D
-Kinyamasika National Seminary=0D
-Canon Apollo Teacher's Training College=0D
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An estimated 3,500 students and 350 staff=20=0D
members have been left without accommodation,=20=0D
forcing them to sleep in the cold. Students and=20=0D
staff are exposed to health and sanitation hazards=20=0D
as well as to the risk of snake bites.=0D
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2. Bundibugyo District=0D
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i. Bwamba County:=0D
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-Madel School=0D
-Hakitengya Primary School=0D
-Simbya Primary School=0D
-Kisonko Primary School=0D
-Mirambi Primary School=0D
-Bukangama Primary School=0D
-Bubukwanga Primary School=0D
-Mantaroba Primary School=0D
-Bumbikahungu Primary School=0D
-Semliki High School=0D
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ii. Ntoroko County:=0D
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-Ntoroko Primary School=0D
-Kamuhingi Primary School=0D
-Rwebisengo Primary School=0D
-Bumadu Church of Uganda=0D
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3. Kasese District=0D
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-Rugandabara Primary School=20=0D
-Kitchwamba SDA Primary School=20=0D
-Kihyo Primary School=20=0D
-Buhunga Primary School=20=0D
-Kyabikuba Primary School=20=0D
-Mubuku Primary School=0D
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Health Centers=0D
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Only the maternity ward of Virika Missionary Hospital=20=0D
managed to survive the earthquake. One hundred fifty=20=0D
patients admitted to the hospital before the earthquake=20=0D
are in desperate need of assistance.=0D
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The health centre in Kisomoro sub-county was completely=20=0D
destroyed.=0D
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Primary health care centers and units in all three districts=20=0D
were damaged.=0D
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Other Buildings Affected=0D
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1. Kabarole District=0D
Fort Portal Municipality=0D
-Boma complex=0D
-Muchwa Local Administration Block=0D
-State Lodge=0D
-Mountains of the Moon Hotel=0D
-Uganda Government Prison, Katojo=0D
-Palace of Omukama (king) of Toro=0D
-Commercial Buildings=0D
-Residence of the Bishop of the Church of Uganda=0D
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2. Bundibugyo District=0D
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Throughout the district, many private residences=20=0D
and commercial buildings were damaged, from the=20=0D
Semliki Plains to the Rwenzori Mountains.=0D
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3. Kasese District=20=0D
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There were reports of damage to buildings in=20=0D
Busogora County, and in the sub-counties of=20=0D
Kyabarungira, Kitchwamba, Maiba and Bugoye.=0D
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