Providing Psychological First Aid to Uganda’s Landslide Victims
Heavy rains in Uganda have triggered widespread flooding, leading to catastrophic landslides throughout the country. The Elgon region, a mountainous area straddling the border with Kenya, is prone to landslides (experiencing more than 400 since 2008) due to its steep slopes and heavy rainfall. Just ten days ago, a landslide claimed almost 30 lives, left 100 people missing, and displaced more than 3,000 households.
Climate change continues to drive extreme weather events such as these, with devastating consequences for mental health. The stress of displacement, grief, and uncertainty profoundly impacts individuals and communities. Without immediate intervention, these effects can last a lifetime.
To respond to the urgent mental health challenges these communities are now facing, StrongMinds is on the ground providing psychological first aid to those in crisis. Teams based in Mbale, our coordination point for our response, conducted ground assessments to determine the specific mental health needs of people affected by the disaster.
What is psychological first aid? It’s an evidence-informed approach for providing emotional and practical support to individuals in the aftermath of a crisis or traumatic event. It focuses on reducing distress, promoting safety and stability, and connecting people to additional support resources if needed.
More than 100 people are currently living in a temporary resettlement in Bunabutye, where we, among other partners, are extending psychosocial services.
We are currently screening and treating individuals suffering from depression, as well as psychoeducating and raising awareness about mental health to help equip communities with the necessary coping strategies to deal with the repercussions of not only this disaster but other climate-related extreme weather events in the future.
The road to recovery for these communities is long, but with your support, we can help them rebuild their lives and resilience. Together, we can ensure that those affected by this disaster receive the mental health care they urgently need, offering hope and strength in the face of climate-driven challenges.
