We are a non-governmental and a not-for-profit-making organisation, founded in 2004 concerned with empowering rural and urban communities in preventing and mitigating crises that befall them.

The main purpose of the conference is to; form an effective network of civil society organisations to start working together, supplement and complement Government efforts in effectively combating and or addressing Disaster Preparedness and Management in the country. After the network is formed, it will facilitate the sharing of information and experience. It will also be possible for civil society organisations and counterpart actors to pursue similar objectives and benchmarks. In order for it to receive relevant information quickly and less costly, it will pursue an inclusive and participatory approach of all concerned, right from the grassroots. In doing so, emphasis will be on providing education and raising awareness about disaster prevention, then on making exhaustive preparations for dealing with disasters when they occur, including empowering and rehabilitating disaster victims.

Problem statement

As you might be aware, Uganda is a disaster-prone country as evidenced by the numerous disasters that have hit local communities time and again. They include natural disasters such as floods, health crises (HIV/AIDS, Ebola and cholera), earthquakes and landslides. Others include man-made disasters like the collapse of buildings under construction, drought and protracted conflicts in the Northern and North Eastern parts of the country. Given concerted efforts and attention, the impact of these disasters can be mitigated or lessened through safety-nets and other appropriate mechanisms.

Although the Government of Uganda has a fully fledged department, in the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible for Disaster Preparedness and Management, it is overwhelmed. The occurrence of many disasters in the country, in the recent past, like those cited above, including conflicts, is alarming. Moreover, the same is exacerbated by the looming fear of terrorism everywhere in the world, Uganda inclusive. Such worrying situation makes it urgently necessary for civil society to effectively and jointly be a part of the solution to the problem. It is tantamount to shortsightedness, gross abdication and lack of patriotism for civil society not to do so, to support the Government in addressing this challenge of our time.

Sad to say, the frequency of disasters both manmade and natural, the world over is increasing. Natural disasters have mainly been attributed to climate change. Manmade crises are mainly attributed to wars, unequal distribution of natural resources and oppression of the masses by unresolved historical conflicts/ issues as well as dictatorial regimes. Ethnic cleansing and vote rigging are also some of the common causes of Disasters in this respect.

However, in most developing countries, including Uganda, management of disasters, unfortunately, follows ‘a management by crisis’ approach. This is due to lack of planning, networking and seriousness on the part of the concerned. In which case, lack of planning cuts across the whole planning spectrum, covering short term planning, medium term planning and strategic planning. It even inevitably causes the concerned to fail to know and identify early warning systems.

Expected Outcome

The envisaged outcome of the planned conference will be a launched Disaster Preparedness and Management Network and a deeper understanding of the underlying factors of disasters. A context sensitive plan of action and a clearer appreciation of roles of stakeholders are also expected.

Being at preparatory stage, we are meanwhile in the process of consulting with Government and relevant professionals, and accordingly establish linkages with various individuals, companies, institutions and organisations to make the holding of the conference a success.

Conference Basket Fund Donors’ Meeting

As a way of saving time in raising the relevant conference funds and effectively interact with Donors in one sitting, our organisation will hold a one day meeting on Wednesday 29th October 2008, in Kampala, at Hotel Africana from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

An entity of your standing in the country’s development, we shall appreciate it very much to have you attending the meeting. A separate invitation letter is hereby attached for your kind attention.