Uganda Calls for Immediate Evacuation After Landslide Claims 20 Lives, Over 100 Missing
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Kampala, December 1 (NationPress) Uganda has called on individuals residing in disaster-prone mountainous regions to evacuate without delay after a landslide resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals and left around 100 people missing in the eastern district of Bulambuli.
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, who visited the affected area on Friday, urged residents to work with the government, which is dedicated to tackling such disasters through both medium- and long-term solutions, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
The devastating landslide impacted five villages in the Bulambuli district on Wednesday night.
"We call upon all survivors and those residing in vulnerable locations to move to Bunambutye (a subcounty in Bulambuli district) immediately for their safety," the Prime Minister stated in a release on Friday evening.
She explained that the landslide, which occurred on Wednesday night, was "triggered by a prolonged 10-hour downpour," which buried homes and devastated crops.
"Over 100 residents remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are ongoing," Nabbanja reported.
She announced that the government would provide a compensation package of $1,350 for each deceased individual and $270 for every injured person.
Lillian Aber, the Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, indicated that additional personnel would be dispatched to support search and rescue initiatives.
"Food and essential supplies will be distributed to the victims by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Uganda Red Cross Society," Aber added, noting that a medical camp would also be set up.
