13 June 2007
Water Projects Improve Life for Displaced Persons in Uganda
Partnership for a Better Life
Between 2002 and 2005, increased conflict as part of a long-running armed rebellion by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led many residents of northern Uganda to seek refuge in already crowded camps. As the population of internally displace persons (IDP) increased from 600,000 to 1.4 million, camp conditions quickly deteriorated.
During the first half of 2005, 129 persons a day perished in the region. However, very few died as a result of the murder, looting or burning of homes committed by the LRA. Instead, most died in IDP camps, where poor sanitation and inadequate or contaminated water rendered them easy targets for diseases such as malaria and diarrhea.
Insecurity and population movements in the region hindered the provision of humanitarian assistance despite concerted efforts by relief agencies.
Where access to clean water is limited, mortality rates for children under age 5 increase dramatically. Severe water shortages also are associated with skin diseases, eye infections and increased incidences of diarrheal diseases and fatal dehydration. Vital nutrition programs cannot function without sufficient water for food preparation and basic hygiene.
Instability had long hindered the success of key water and sanitation projects in northern Uganda. However, improvements in security in 2006 enabled partners of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand activities in both long-standing and newer camps for displaced persons.
In the Potika IDP camp in Kitgum District, little water was available because of a problem in drilling well boreholes within the camp’s security perimeters. At the same time, camp residents were unable to access water sources outside security zones beyond curfew hours.
In response, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a USAID partner, developed a system utilizing a high-yield well outside the camp to feed into a water system within the security zone. The 14,400 camp residents now have access to more than 15 liters of potable water per person per day, the minimum humanitarian standard. They can safely access water at all times.
Community members helped secure land for the well and design the distribution system, and are providing system maintenance and management.
"We now have water close to our homes. We are living like town people who turn on a tap to get water. … We shall do all we can to ensure we have this water running," said Ayaa Josephine, secretary of the camp finance committee.
Camp resident Aluku Betty added: "Even past 7 p.m., when we are not allowed outside the camp, I will be able to collect water for my family. I will have enough water for my family now."
As peace negotiations continue and security improves, a growing number of northern Ugandans are leaving the camps and returning to their home areas.
In Ligi Ligi settlement in eastern Pader District, little infrastructure remained to provide for the needs of returnees. Many people traveled long distances to collect water of questionable quality from streams and ponds, losing valuable time better spent on rebuilding homes and farming.
USAID provided funds to Cooperazione e Sviluppo (CESVI) to complete a motorized borehole that now provides sufficient quantities of clean water to more than 2,000 families returning to the area to rebuild their lives through agriculture.
The borehole has dramatically changed their lives, including that of Beatty Otto and her eight children, who had spent several years in nearby Patonga Camp.
Otto said her children are now able to draw clean water at any time of the day. And since they no longer have to venture far from home to collect water, she no longer worries about their safety.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
