Uganda Red Cross Society developing risk dashboard to inform forecast-based financing in disaster preparedness and early response in Uganda

By Joel Kitutu

Uganda Red Cross Society with the support from Netherlands Red Cross is implementing an Innovative Approaches in Response Preparedness (IARP) project for a period of 5 years (2018 – 2022). This will be achieved through three project components- establishment of Forecast-based financing (FbF) systems, supported by Data Preparedness and Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in Preparedness/Early Response.

Since July 2018, the IARP data team has collected data related to disasters in Uganda, and key national datasets relevant in the analysis of hydro-meteorological disaster events. With support of the 510 Team, an Initiative of the Netherlands Red Cross, a Community Risk Assessment dashboard has been developed to support prioritization of disaster-prone areas based on hazard exposure, vulnerability and coping capacity data. These datasets are continuously collected from a myriad of national data stakeholders to update the CRA. 

The data on the CRA is organised according to the UN endorsed INFORM index framework for risk assessment under the 3 sectors of Hazard Exposure, Vulnerability and Coping Capacity.

The data is freely available for download as csv or geojson. Explanatory notes and Links to the data sources are provided on all individual indicators whose data is updated based on availability and accessibility.

Following the current rains in the September October November December (SOND) rainy season in Uganda, URCS has stepped up data capacity building for branch managers and volunteers, and mobile data collection to fill in gaps in the CRA especially in the exposre section in flood hotspot areas of Uganda.