Flood-hit Uganda declares emergency

KAMPALA (AFP) — Uganda declared a state of emergency Thursday across several northern and eastern regions worst-hit by rains and floods that have affected an estimated 1.5 million people across Africa since August.

Last week the Ugandan government said 18 people had died due to the flooding and some 400,000 people were in need of assistance after being driven from their homes by the fast-rising waters or losing their livelihoods.

The situation has since worsened with more rain, helping the floods destroy houses and bridges, force whole refugee camps to be evacuated and render millions more dollars worth of crops valueless.

"A declaration for a state of emergency has been made," Tarsis Kabwegyere, Uganda's minister for disaster preparedness and relief, told AFP.

Kabwegyere said the government had earmarked 11.5 million dollars (8.2 million euros) to buy food supplies and tarpaulins, and to deliver them to the affected communities by road and air

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