File photo shows a farmer checking the damage caused by floods in his maize garden in Sironko district, eastern Uganda, May 11, 2016. (Xinhua/Daniel Edyegu)
KAMPALA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has distributed relief aid to over 10,000 people affected by floods and landslides in eastern Uganda.
The UN refugee agency in a statement issued on Friday said it has provided 10,000 blankets and 2,000 plastic tarpaulins to victims in the sub regions of Elgon, Teso, Bukedi and Karamoja.
The agency said the response is towards a call for support from the Ugandan government.
While distributing the relief items, Musa Ecweru, state minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees said over 180,000 Ugandans are affected by the floods and 9,500 of them are displaced.
Ecweru noted that 120,145 households have been destroyed, 325,000 acres of land submerged and roads washed away.
"The most urgent needs of the affected population are shelter, harvesting-drying materials (tarpaulins, tents, and blankets) water guard tablets and relief food," he said.
"As UNHCR, we are here to support the Government of Uganda and her people. When a disaster like this strikes we join hands to respond to the life threatening emergency," Joel Boutroue, UNHCR Country Representative in Uganda said.