Following the sudden increase in refugees fleeing into Uganda with over 1.5 millions (UNHCR 2021), mainly from Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Burundi, there has been a growing strain on water and sanitation resources in Kyangwali refugee settlements. In Uganda, poor water quality and lack of water in refugee camps has created a "crisis within the crisis", causing outbreaks of water-borne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, and hepatitis.
By ensuring that communities have better access to safe drinking water, cooking, bathing and cleaning, preventing deadly water-borne diseases. P4T have constructed water wells in different villages of kyangwali refugee settlement in Uganda with support from our partners. So far, we have constructed 6 water wells that is impacting to 10,000 people.
When Bizimungu Shaban first arrived in Uganda as a refugee in 2000, there was water he drank from a swamp to satisfy his thirst and has never access clean water for 12 years. Thanks to a new water wells project implemented by P4T with funded by Mission of Hope, his family has plenty of clean water to drink now.
Shaban’s children and other children could be forced to stay out of school because they would spent five hours on line waiting to get clear water in another community as hundreds depends on one water source before P4T constructed water well in his area. Shaban fled from Democratic Republic of Congo war of MaJi-mayi rebellion to Kyangwali, Uganda together with his wife and 5 children. People were slaughtered including his blood sister in his village (Inshasha) and war separated him from 2 siblings.
Swamp where Shaban used to fetch water before P4T constructed water well in his village.
In many camps in Uganda , children increasingly have to walk long distances to fetch water, instead of spending that time at school or with their friends playing and learning.‘ I used to report to school late because of fetching water before going to school. I do miss morning lesson but now, I don’t go to school late, have enough water and don’t walk for long distance anymore, said Grace, 14 years old refugee Sudanese girl.
Residents together with Shaban (man in picture is Shaban) are thankful and happy for the new water well constructed by P4T with fund from mission of hope in their area block block 29, kyebitaka village, kyangwali refugee settlement Uganda.
A human being can survive a week without food, but cannot live more than three days without water. In less than 24 hours, our body is already showing signs of dehydration.
Shaban is among hundreds of refugee who have suffered from water-borne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, and hepatitis because of using dirty water. Sadly he said, ‘I lost my child as result of lack of clean water. This water well is brining new life and hope to refugees in my community, he added.
P4T have closely worked with local community to sustain these water wells by building fences around the well and ensured sanitation and hygiene is promoted. Formed 6 water committees on each water well constructed area.
Yanakyayi MarryMafuta, 65 years old refugee Congolese woman said could spend 1000 Uganda shillings to buy 20 little jerrican of water or walk long distance in search for clean water. ‘I would have one meal because of lack of water to cook food’, said Mafuta.
With this water well project, ‘no more walking 5 kilometers searching for water and cook food for my children in time and they don’t go to school late’
Mafuta is the mother of 8 children, live with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. 5 children and her husband war separated them in Bunagana in North Kivu of Democratic Republic of Congo when the fled civil war in 2011 until to date.
‘I’m grateful and thankful to P4T for saving my life and life for my children because many people are dying of cholera here in the camp because of lack of clean water.
Due to scarcity of water, people would fight, so it was tough to fetch water especially girls who are always weak only boys would fetch then later girls, said local chairperson.
Zawadi who resides at Kyangwali refugee settlement explained that in a time when everyone is being advised by UNHCR and Office of the Prime Minister during Covid-19 to regularly wash their hands some families spend the whole day without washing their hand instead the save the water to cook food. Now, families have enough water to wash their hands and for cooking their food and drinking safe water, We are grateful for P4T for constructing water well in our area.
Your donations have empowered hundreds of children, women and people like Mafuta to provide their families with access to safe water.
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Special Thanks goes to our International Medical and Humanitarian Volunteers who worked so hard to raise fund needed to provide clean and safe water to refugees and host community in Uganda.
#DrTayseeralkarim-Team leader
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