On 11th day in August 2024, tragedy struck the Kiteezi community on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, when the massive Kiteezi rubbish dump collapsed, triggering a catastrophic landslide. The disaster claimed lives, destroyed homes, and left families in despair. As the scale of the calamity becomes clear, our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones and homes. As Agape Children's Care Centre over the years we have supported and continue to support Children affected by similar and worse calamities, this heart felt write up calls on friends, family, and supporters to stand in prayer and physically in helping us provide much-needed assistance to the victims of this disaster.

The Calamity Unfolds:

The Kiteezi rubbish dump had grown dangerously large over the years, and the onset of the rainy season heightened the risk of a landslide. Despite warnings from environmental experts and local residents, little was done to address the situation. On that fateful day, heavy rains saturated the landfill, causing it to collapse. The resulting landslide swept through the nearby community, burying homes and roads under tons of waste and debris.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of sheer terror, with people scrambling to escape the advancing tide of debris. Tragically, many were unable to flee in time, and lives were lost in the chaos. For those who survived, the emotional trauma of witnessing their homes and loved ones consumed by the landslide will remain with them forever.

This disaster is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglect and the urgent need for better waste management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities.

Impact on the Local Community:

The Kiteezi landslide has had a devastating impact on the local community. The rescue teams did their best to recover bodies from debris and the place is being worked upon though survivors are homeless, over crowded in the camp, with little access to essential commodities work tirelessly to recover bodies from the rubble. Families have been torn apart, and many survivors are now homeless, forced to seek shelter in overcrowded temporary camps with little access to basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medical care.

Health risks associated with exposure to the hazardous waste buried in the landslide are significant, with the potential for disease outbreaks among the survivors. The economic impact is also severe, as many residents relied on searching recyclable items to sell and earn a living for their livelihoods therefore those individuals lost their source of income. With the dump now destroyed, these individuals have lost their only source of income, plunging them further into poverty.

Children, who are among the most vulnerable in any disaster, have been particularly affected. Their education has been disrupted. The psychological toll on these young survivors is immense, as they struggle to cope with the trauma of losing their homes, friends, and family members.

The broader community is also feeling the ripple effects of the disaster. The destruction of infrastructure, including roads and houses by the disaster. The local economy, already fragile, has been further weakened by the disaster, with businesses closing and jobs in an instance.

Our Response

In the wake of the Kiteezi landslide, our school organization has mobilized to provide immediate and long-term support to the affected community. We are working closely with local authorities, international organizations, and other NGOs to coordinate a comprehensive response to the disaster.

Emergency Relief:
Our first priority has been to provide emergency relief to those affected by the landslide. We aim to distribute food, clean water, and medical supplies to displaced families, ensuring that their basic needs are met. Our teams are also providing psychological support to help survivors cope with the trauma of the disaster.

Search and Rescue Operations:
The government and authorities are over seeing the search and rescue operations, and we are working alongside local authorities both in prayer and in physical to locate and recover victims buried under the rubble. This work is both physically and emotionally demanding, but it is essential to bring closure to the families who have lost loved ones.

Long-Term Support:
Our prayer and desire extends beyond the immediate aftermath of the disaster to the long-term recovery and rebuilding of the community though its currently out of our reach due to the financial constrains. We due to the diversity we would also advocate to providing housing for displaced families and supporting the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure in the coming months.

Education and Child Support:
As Agape Childrens Care Centre, We are particularly concerned about the impact of the disaster on children. To ensure their education continues we aim to provide school supplies to those affected. We are also offering counseling services to help children process the trauma and rebuild their lives.

Livelihood Support:
To address the economic impact of the disaster, if possible we would possibly launch initiatives to support the livelihoods of those who have lost their income. This includes providing small grants and microloans to help individuals start new businesses or find alternative employment.

A Cry for Help

The scale of the disaster in Kiteezi is immense, and the needs of the affected community are overwhelming. We cannot do this alone. We urgently need your help to provide the support that these families so desperately need.

We are calling on all our friends, family, and supporters to stand with us in this time of crisis. Your donations will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by the landslide. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help provide food, shelter, medical care, and other essential support to the survivors.

We also encourage you to share this message with your networks. The more people who know about the Kiteezi disaster, the more support we can gather to help the affected community. Together, we can make a difference.

Standing Together in Tragedy

In the face of such a devastating disaster, the strength of the human spirit shines through. We have been inspired by the resilience of the Kiteezi community, who, despite the enormous challenges they face, are determined to rebuild their lives. We have also been moved by the outpouring of support from people around the world who have reached out to offer help.

Our organization is committed to standing with the Kiteezi community for the long haul. We will not abandon them once the immediate crisis has passed. We will continue to provide support as they rebuild their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives. But we cannot do it alone. We need your continued support to make this possible.

The Kiteezi disaster is a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and sustainable development. We must learn from this tragedy and work together to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future. This means advocating for better waste management practices, stronger infrastructure, and more effective disaster response systems. It also means supporting communities in their efforts to build resilience to future shocks.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help the survivors of the Kiteezi landslide:

• Donate: Your financial support is crucial to our relief efforts. You can make a donation online through our website or by mailing a check to our office.

• Volunteer: If you are in the area, consider volunteering your time to help with our relief efforts. We need people to help distribute supplies, provide medical care, and support the rebuilding process.

• Spread the Word: Share this article with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who know about the Kiteezi disaster, the more support we can gather.

• Organize a Fundraiser: Consider organizing a fundraiser in your community to raise money for our relief efforts. This could be anything from a bake sale to a charity run.

• Advocate: Use your voice to advocate for better waste management practices and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities. Write to your local representatives, share information on social media, and get involved in local environmental and disaster preparedness initiatives.

In Memoriam

As we work to support the survivors of the Kiteezi landslide, we also take time to remember those who lost their lives in this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

By taking action together, we can help the people of Kiteezi recover from this disaster and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Thank you for standing with us in this time of need.

With gratitude and determination,

Felister Baligasima

Thank you for joining the Care Centre and choosing to be the cause of change through your action and networks!