Vatican City, 11 October 2007 - Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala says a recent trip to flood-hit parts of Uganda has left him shocked at the devastation.

The Archbishop, who is a Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis, visited Soroti in the east of the country earlier this month, and witnessed scenes of despair.

Flooding has affected 300,000 people and with no let up in the heavy rains since July, that figure is expected to rise.

Caritas has appealed for USD 1.6 million to provide food, shelter, water, and sanitation items for the next six months to help over 20,000 people living in camps in the east.

Shortage of food is a growing concern as is the increase in deadly waterborne diseases. 

Archbishop Cyprian said, "We are a forgotten people. We need help, solidarity, and support from the outside world to overcome this disaster, but it has been lacking so far. Caritas is doing its best to respond, but the aid response from the outside world is not encouraging.

"When I visited Soroti, the bridges were impassable and I had to complete my journey by boat. Everywhere is flooded. People are cut off. It is very dangerous to travel. Fortunately not many people have died, but their crops are destroyed. They need food, shelter, and sanitation urgently.

"It is the worst flooding since 1972. Damage to the environment has made things worse. Trees have been cut down. People have built on wet lands.

"I was in Soroti for the investiture of a new bishop. The people were happy to have a new bishop, but saddened by the difficulties of coping with the floods."
 
Uganda has been one of the countries worst hit by torrential rains and flash floods that have swept over east and west Africa, washing away villages, food crops, and animals.

Please contact Patrick Nicholson on 0039 06 69879725 or 0039 3343590700 or nicholson@caritas.va