Official urges villagers to share relief money fairly

By JAMES GUMUNO
NATIONAL Disaster and Emergency Centre wants to see the K50,000 given for hailstorm victims go straight to the affected villagers, says an official.
National Disaster and Emergency official Thomas Ninkama went toTeregl village and met with hailstorm affected villagers and told them that the assistance given by his office needed to be shared fairly.
Ninkama told councillor David Anis, whose Jiga Kukuga tribesmen were affected by hailstorm on Dec 25, to work with his office to ensure that the money given was used appropriately.
He said the K50,000 was to be spent on food supplies.
“The disaster has affected more than 3,000 people,” he said.
“And even though it will not be enough to provide for the people for three months, they must get maximum benefit from it.”
Anis said the cheque for K50,000 presented on Monday and deposited into the Western Highland disaster operational account would be withdrawn tomorrow to buy relief supplies.
He thanked provincial disaster coordinator Robin Yakumb for facilitating the provision of the funds.
Anis urged the provincial government to fully fund its disaster office in its annual budget.
He said natural disasters could strike at any time as seen in the Highlands in the recent past with earthquakes, frosts, landslides and even hailstorms.
“Our disaster office in the province must have money and resources to respond when disaster strike,” he said.