Heavy rain devastates largest camp for homeless in northern Uganda - UN

A heavy rainstorm has devastated the largest camp for war-displaced people in northern Uganda, tearing away makeshift roofs and washing away food supplies, the United Nations relief coordination office said today.

Camp officials have underscored a need for tarpaulins, food, supplies and a mobile clinic in the camp, home to 62,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The storm hit Sunday at Pabbo camp, about 400 kilometres north of the capital, Kampala, with strong winds and rain causing major damage, including hail that destroyed several gardens and fields.

Up to 3,500 huts - as well as three schools and the camp health clinic - lost the tarpaulins that served as roofs, while some food was soaked and other rations washed away. The health centre in Pabbo also reported injuries to 10 people.

The UN and its partners are assessing the damage, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is monitoring the camp.