Developing disaster risk reduction strategies in eastern Uganda through the use of a community to community development network Dr Anthony J. Harris University of Glamorgan

Introduction University of Glamorgan is part of a unique community twinning programme with Mbale Region of Eastern UgandaUniversity of Glamorgan is part of a unique community twinning programme with Mbale Region of Eastern Uganda OverviewOverview –Bududa District prone to landslides –Area of extremely high vulnerability –Community twinning scheme –Agroforestry education project –Development into resilience project

Bududa District Landslide History Increasing frequency noted through the 20 th CenturyIncreasing frequency noted through the 20 th Century 1997 to 1999: at least 48 dead, 885 homes destroyed, 5600 homeless, rivers dammed with considerable flood damage1997 to 1999: at least 48 dead, 885 homes destroyed, 5600 homeless, rivers dammed with considerable flood damage 2002 & 2007: minor2002 & 2007: minor 2010: at least 90 dead and over 5000 homes destroyed2010: at least 90 dead and over 5000 homes destroyed Source: S. Wandera Source: D. Mafabi

Environmental Vulnerability Densely populatedDensely populated –Land shortages –Declining soil productivity and agricultural yields DeforestationDeforestation Steep terrainSteep terrain High rainfallHigh rainfall High weathering ratesHigh weathering rates Soils with low shear strengthSoils with low shear strength

Socio-Economic Vulnerability High levels of povertyHigh levels of poverty High population growth with limited land availabilityHigh population growth with limited land availability –Subdivision of land Education levelsEducation levels Subsistence agricultureSubsistence agriculture

Built-Infrastructural Vulnerability Building unplannedBuilding unplanned Excavation of levelsExcavation of levels –Buildings –Agriculture –Footpaths Limited infrastructureLimited infrastructure –Roads –Healthcare facilities

Landslide Types and Causes Marginally stable slopesMarginally stable slopes Dominantly shallow rotational slumps (e.g. Knapen et al. 2006)Dominantly shallow rotational slumps (e.g. Knapen et al. 2006) Nitisols with buried discontinuitiesNitisols with buried discontinuities Concentration on steep concave slope segmentsConcentration on steep concave slope segments Deforestation and slope excavationsDeforestation and slope excavations

Landslide Triggers Important role of climatic variabilityImportant role of climatic variability –El Nino Southern Oscillation –Indian Ocean Dipole –Position and strength of the ITCZ Source: IRI/LDEO Climate Data Library SST Anomaly: February 1997 SST Anomaly: November 1997 SST Anomaly: February 2010

PONT (Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust) Aims of PONTAims of PONT –Identify consensus for priorities –Capacity building –Monitoring and governance MethodMethod –Delivering projects through local NGOs –Working with Regional and District Government ProjectsProjects

PONT (Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust) Engage with community at many levels for DRREngage with community at many levels for DRR Unique community twinning schemeUnique community twinning scheme Coalition Against PovertyCoalition Against Poverty RHONDDA CYNON TAFFMBALE County Borough CouncilRegional Authorities Local Health BoardDistrict Authorities Local Hospital TrustHospital Local businessesCommunity Health Workers ChurchesChurches and organisations Schools University of GlamorganNGOs

Development Project in Education AgroforestryAgroforestry –Holistic solution with many benefits –Localised practice among NGOs Mechanism needed to:Mechanism needed to: –Reverse the poverty-linked environmental degradation –Demonstrate benefits –Encourage widespread adoption

Development Project in Education Schools agroforestry projectSchools agroforestry project –Pilot project in five schools –Training delivered by local NGO partner –Contrasting traditional and agroforestry plots –Use of trees, soil and slope management, increasing crop yields

Development Project in Education Schools agroforestry projectSchools agroforestry project –Practical education and participation –Success of plots in increasing yields –Adoption of techniques –Typical school leaving age Engage the communityEngage the community –Community Health Workers –Strengths of the partnership

Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies District scale GIS-based district landslide characterisation (Knapen et al. 2006, Claessens et al. 2007)District scale GIS-based district landslide characterisation (Knapen et al. 2006, Claessens et al. 2007) Need local scale DRR solutions with community engagementNeed local scale DRR solutions with community engagement Consider hazard perceptionConsider hazard perception –Views of District Government –Understand local perspectives Develop community-based hazard analysisDevelop community-based hazard analysis

Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies Expand and develop schools projectExpand and develop schools project –Develop awareness –Landslide education materials –Specific location vulnerability mapping –Develop preparedness

Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies Expand and develop schools projectExpand and develop schools project Agroforestry and slope bioengineering solutionsAgroforestry and slope bioengineering solutions –Sustainable solutions to also tackle poverty –Leucaena – roots with high tensile strength (Ali, 2010)

Future needs for Bududa Continuation of land shortage and expanding populationContinuation of land shortage and expanding population Implications of future climate change predictionsImplications of future climate change predictions Urgent need to develop community resilience to climatic variabilityUrgent need to develop community resilience to climatic variability

Questions?