Project title Building Socio-ecological resilience of communities to Flash Flooding in the Rwenzori Mountains (B-SaFFeR)

Duration

2024-2029

Lead institutions

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Uganda Martyrs University , Mountains of the Moon University

Academic partners

Matthieu KERVYN

Bosco BWAMBALE , John SEKAJUGO

Project status

Ongoing

Programme

TEAM

Total budget

299,974.40

Summary

Flash floods frequently occur in the Rwenzori Mountains – Uganda, causing fatalities and socio-economic damage. Despite existing local knowledge to reduce risk, capacities are lacking to monitor floods, enhance community response mechanisms and design and implement sustainable risk reduction. In cooperation with district authorities and Join for Water, B-SaFFeR will enhance interdisciplinary academic capacities to build socio-ecological resilience for all within Rwenzori communities against flash floods. A low-cost sensor network will monitor rainfall and river discharge in two river catchments: it will be coupled with a spatial hydrological model to calibrate a proof of concept of a flood warning system. Risk sharing socio-economic solidarity schemes existing at grassroot level will be documented and their impact on household resilience demonstrated. Co-steering of project with key stakeholders, training and direct support of DRR actions of pilot villages and environmental radio program will ensure sustainable impact of B-SaFFeR on local communities’ resilience.