A local press reporter is currently in Uganda helping victims of the recent landslide which killed 97 people.

Laura Dale, Teignbridge reporter with Torquay-based daily the Herald Express, is in the African country in her capacity as a volunteer with international aid charity ShelterBox.

On 1 March torrential rains in the areas surrounding Mt Elgon caused flooding and deadly landslides.

Laura is spending three weeks in Mbale, the closest city to the Bududa region which was hit by the landslides, in what is her first assignment with the Cornwall-based charity.

She and other volunteers are working with the Ugandan Red Cross to ensure over 200 aid boxes can get through customs and to camps where large tents are currently housing around 100 people at a time.

Speaking from the camp, Laura told the Herald Express: “Around 97 people were killed, 63 of them children. They think 400 people are still missing.

“It was pretty intense going around the camp, the people have been through an awful lot. Aid is coming through but it is not enough yet.

“At the moment women and children are separated from the men.

“Husbands are separated from their wives and children. Families are divided up. We are sending out tents to help reunite families and regain a sense of community.

“Also a lot of children have been affected and we are looking for the classroom in a box packs to be dispatched.”

Laura, who is due home next weekend, works part-time at the Northcliffe daily as she is also studying for a masters in international development two days a week at the University of Bath.