Challenges faced by persons displaced by river Nyamwamba floods: a case study of Muhokya camp, Kasese district

Abstract

The study sought to establish the services that the persons displaced by floods received, the challenges they continue to face and how they cope up. The study used a cross sectional case study design and applied qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Data was collected using in-depth interviews with nine male household heads and nine female household heads (IDPs), two Focus Group Discussions each comprising of nine household heads, males and females. The study used quota and purposive sampling techniques to select the participants in the different categories considered for the study. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis. It was established that IDPs received services including food supplies, mosquito nets, tapelines, clothing, psychosocial support and health services from Government and NGOs such as Red Cross, UNICEF and Save the Children. It was noted that services such as safe water, cooking oil and access to land inadequate. In relation to the challenges they faced, they included shortage of food supplies, firewood, poor shelter, intruders and early marriages. It was revealed that they adopted measures including but not limited; to digging, operating small businesses in the nearby market, ding small gardens of dodo, cabbages and beans. The study generally suggests that IDPs are deprived of a decent living, they take poor water, inadequate toilets, rapists of women, thieves, domestic violence and live largely from hand to mouth for lack of a sustainable welfare distribution mechanisms. The study recommends the Government to use its mandate as provided in the outline protocols on climate change to request funds from the Adaptation Fund of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to improve the standard of living of IDPs in Muhokya camp.