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Sarah Mukhaye, a survivor of the devastating landslides in Mount Elgon, vividly recalls the harrowing experiences she endured. She recounts how her house was inundated with water during heavy rainfall, causing extensive damage to her property and leaving her family traumatized. Mukhaye, along with many others in the region, grappled with the aftermath of the disaster, struggling to rebuild their lives amidst environmental challenges.
Living in Bulako cell, Bunabwana ward, Bunyinza town council in Manafwa district, Mukhaye had to resort to improvisation to protect her home from future flooding. She dug trenches around her house to divert the water away, a makeshift solution to mitigate the risk of further damage. However, the devastation extended beyond property loss; agricultural lands were washed away, leaving behind barren soil incapable of sustaining crops.
Jenipher Kakai, a widow and mother of seven, faced similar challenges as her land was ravaged by floods, rendering it infertile. Forced to rent land in another village to provide for her family, Kakai recounts the frustration of witnessing her once-fertile soil yield poor harvests. Meanwhile, in Namisindwa district, the scarcity of safe drinking water became a pressing issue as traditional water sources were contaminated by floodwaters.
The plight of landslide survivors caught the attention of the World Bank and the Ministry of Water and Environment, leading to the inception of the Integrated Water Management and Development Project (IWMDP) in the Lwakhakha sub-catchment. This collaborative effort aimed to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change in Mount Elgon and its surrounding areas.
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Implemented by AidEnvironment East Africa in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the IWMDP focuses on empowering communities with skills and resources to adapt to climate change. Through initiatives like soil and water conservation, riverbank restoration, and water source protection, residents are learning sustainable practices to mitigate environmental risks.
Michael Khauka, a local leader, acknowledges the project’s impact in equipping communities with disaster risk reduction skills. By implementing measures to control erosion, restore riverbanks, and protect water sources, residents are gradually reclaiming their land and livelihoods. Moreover, income-generating activities such as beekeeping and agroforestry offer sustainable alternatives for affected communities.
The project’s scope extends beyond immediate relief efforts to long-term environmental conservation and community resilience. Haggai Ojwang, a water officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasizes the importance of community ownership in sustaining conservation activities beyond the project’s lifespan. As the project nears its conclusion in July 2024, stakeholders remain committed to ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of its interventions.
During a recent visit to the project site, Aaron Kabirizi, representing the World Bank, commended the collaborative efforts of stakeholders and the active involvement of communities in the project. He emphasized the need for quality implementation and community ownership to ensure the project’s lasting impact. As Mount Elgon continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, initiatives like the IWMDP offer hope for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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