March 2015 - Ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan have led to the exodus of significant numbers of refugees, many of whom have sought safety in Uganda. Currently, the country is hosting around 456,000 refugees, the majority from the DRC (227,000) but also a large newly arrived population from South Sudan (139,000). While the Government of Uganda allocates land to allow refugees to grow some of their own food, they remain reliant on international assistance and their presence has stretched scarce local resources (fuel, water, and social services, including schools) which are shared by host communities. With DFATD’s support, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is meeting the humanitarian needs of 40,500 South Sudanese refugees and host community members living in Adjumani district, northern Uganda. Project activities include: (1) constructing four boreholes and 3,500 household latrines; (2) installing water harvesting tanks at five schools; (3) distributing essential hygiene supplies to 6,000 vulnerable households; (4) completing a community awareness campaign focusing on sanitation and hygiene, reaching 30,000 people; (5) constructing shelters for 137 particularly vulnerable people; and (6) providing agricultural supplies, equipment and training to 35,000 individuals.
