By Robinah Nanyondo, Julius Mugaga/ Umoja Standard.
Munyonyo, Uganda: Speaking during day-two of Cross boarder collaboration in Health and Ebola Virus Diseases preparedness meeting, Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) sought that as well as most countries have disaster law, its implementation should have a link to organization just like Red Cross to be able to effectively mitigate and handling occurrences as well fostering proper decision making.
Robert Kwesiga.
He sought, ‘how can therefore the institutions that are national and have local base be supported since disaster have been there before and will continue to happen such that they can prepare communities to mitigate, to respond but also making sure that its timely and scientifically analyzed’.
“The World Disaster report 2023 highlights that disasters and pandemics are at an increase therefore the better prepared are those who have put mechanisms in place of preparedness, mitigation but also response.” Said Kwesiga.
Uganda does not yet have a comprehensive law to deal with disaster situations, however, the country is currently engaged in the formulation of a National Disaster Preparedness and Management Policy. The Draft Policy seeks to set guidelines for disaster preparedness, mitigation and management.
Naphtal Baguma, director Director Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Uganda Red Cross Society highlighted that the substantial goods they receive from partners and donors towards humanitarian response face Government’s certificate of conformity which is costly and cause delays.
He added that the items they have received without the certificate of conformity have not yet been cleared by UNBS and National Drug Authority and in the process, they affect the operation of response.
Cross boarder Red Cross Participants.
“ We appeal to Government that this system is amended especially on item geared towards humanitarian response.” He called.
The two-day meeting on the Cross border collaboration in Health and Ebola Virus Disease preparedness was hosted by Uganda Red Cross Society with intention of, Developing a collective road map for cross border collaboration on epidemic preparedness, Identifying technical tools and guidelines to facilitate peer to peer support, Developing a National society health technical working group to lead on cross border collaboration during epidemics.
This took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo Victoria Hall. Representatives from the host country, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Madagascar and Comoros graced the meeting.