Following heavy rains throughout April and May this year, heavy flooding has swept through Nyamwamba valley, a place usually affected by flash floods and therefore unprepared for heavy rains. The prolonged heavy downpours in this area have resulted in the districts biggest rivers overflowing; Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani, Mubuku and Kithakena banks have burst, causing the displacement of villagers and the destruction of their homes. Many have died, and six schools and one hospital were also destroyed.

According to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 25,445 people have been affected, eight people have died and at least five people are missing. There is also mass destruction of houses, infrastructure, facilities, power lines and sewage treatment units. This report explains more.

The Anglican Church has been at the frontline in response to this emergency. By Monday 6th May 2013 South Rwenzori Diocese in Kasese district was hosting over 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in one of its primary schools, and over half of these are children under 12 years old. Some of them are shown in the picture below.

When it stopped raining the river waters reduced and some families whosehouses were not destroyed were able to return to their homes. However 7,000 remain displaced to this day. 

Read more here