B-SaFFeR: Building Socio-ecological resilience of communities to Flash Flooding in the Rwenzori Mountains

Brief:

B-SaFFeR aims to increase capacities through joint research while addressing a relevant developmental issue, namely the impact of flash floods on the rural population in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda. Despite existing local knowledge to reduce risk, there is a lack of capacity to monitor floods, enhance community response mechanisms, and design and implement sustainable risk reduction strategies. In cooperation with district authorities, B-SaFFeR will enhance academic capacities to build socio-ecological resilience against flash floods in Rwenzori communities. A low-cost sensor network will monitor rainfall and river discharge in two river catchments (Nyamwamba and Nyamugasani), coupled with a spatial hydrological model to develop a proof of concept for a flood warning system. Existing grassroots risk-sharing socio-economic solidarity schemes (i.e., VSLAs) will be documented, and their impact on household resilience will be demonstrated. Key stakeholders will co-steer the project, which includes training and direct support for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) actions in pilot villages, as well as an environmental radio program to ensure the sustainable impact of B-SaFFeR on local communities’ resilience.

 

Nature of participation: Community Engagement + direct implementation of B-SaFFeR findings in that regard to Socio-Ecological Resilience to Floods

THRIVE Coordinator: Gloria KABUGHO

Overall coordinator (Uganda): Dr. Bosco Bwambale

Other partners

    1. Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda, coordinating institution)
    2. Mountains of the Moon University (Uganda)
    3. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)
    4. KU Leuven (Belgium)
    5. Join for Water (JfW)

Funder: VLIR UOS

Funding: 300,000 euros

Timeline: 2024-2029