Makeshift shelters housing families in an emergency relief camp in the Kasese district.
Rockflower’s reason for existing is to provide catalytic funding to those social entrepreneurs and grassroots community based organizations, who are often overlooked when it comes to receiving international funding. Because of the unique nature of our partnerships and the deep relationships we have built over the years, it is essential that when our partners turn to us in times of disaster, we have the capacity to provide whatever short term relief is possible. We have established a small emergency fund for this purpose as so many of our partners are on the leading edge of climate change disasters and need urgent help when it is needed most.
Most recently we were able to provide emergency relief funding to Hope for Rural Women (HORUWO), to enable them to provide essential relief to victims of flooding and landslides in Maliba Subcounty of the Kasese District, Uganda, an area increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
In May 2024, devastating floods and landslides struck Kasese District, displacing thousands and causing a significant loss of life. Maliba Subcounty, one of the hardest hit areas, saw the establishment of multiple camps housing over 6,152 displaced individuals. In response, Rockflower funded HORUWO to deliver vital supplies, including maize flour, soap, basins, and sanitary pads, to 60 women and teenage girls residing in Buhunga Camp. These basic necessities are critical to recovery in the early stages of displacement.
HORUWO’s team distributing items to families.
The tragic events in Kasese District highlight a broader issue faced globally: the disproportionate impact of climate change on impoverished communities. These communities contribute the least to climate change and pollution, but suffer its harshest consequences, including increased risks of floods, landslides, and subsequent socio-economic instability. Women and girls, in particular, face heightened vulnerabilities during such crises, with increased risks of sexual violence, health issues, and disruptions in education.
With this short term relief project, HORUWO provided 120 bags of maize flour, 120 bars of soap, 60 basins, and 180 boxes of sanitary pads to the victims, addressing immediate dietary and hygiene needs. However, the broader challenge remains for those returning to lands stripped of resources. The potential for hunger, malnutrition, and escalated gender-based violence requires comprehensive strategies to ensure safety and resilience.
In light of these ongoing challenges, HORUWO is planning the "Rise Up Girl Campaign" aimed at ending child marriages through awareness, advocacy, and empowerment in Maliba Subcounty. Given the recent disasters, many girls will not have the funds to return to school, which puts them at an increased risk of early pregnancy, marriage and sexual violence. The initiative will use intercultural engagement and communication to involve a diverse group of community stakeholders, including police, local leaders, and cultural figures, to create sustainable solutions to combat sexual violence and support vulnerable populations.
For fifteen years we have understood the magnitude of ensuring power is in the hands of local communities to combat global challenges and are dedicated to continuing our support for those affected by climate-induced disasters. By showing how targeted support can make a real and substantive difference in the lives of those who are most at risk from the changing climate, namely women and girls, we are proving that no effort is too small or insignificant and we will continue to do whatever it takes to support our partners in times of need.