【Uganda】Our activities for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda

In response to a large influx of refugees from South Sudan, in December 2016, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) first began our projects installing water tanks, and repair of public water taps. then constructed water distribution system with solar pumps, PWJ also built semi-permanent latrines. All these works were targeted to support “Persons with Specific Needs (PSN)” at Bidibidi refugee settlement, the world’s largest refugee settlement. PSN population includes highly vulnerable persons such as elderly, handicapped, pregnant, single mother and child headed household. Our first year work, with the funding support from Japan Platform, PWJ was able to reach out to help 22,500 South Sudanese refugees.

Since Uganda hosts most refugees from South Sudan and as of March 2018, over 1,000,000 South Sudanese refugees had fled into the country. The total of about 2.5 million South Sudanese refugees in fled nearby countries such as Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, and over 60% of them are children under 18 years old (UNHCR Regional Update for South Sudan for March 2018)

PWJ are continuing our projects at Bidibidi refugee settlement, yet from this January 2018, PWJ expanded the project area in Imvepi refugee settlement. Imvepi refugee settlement was established in February 2017 and consists of three zones, 39 villages, with about 127,000 South Sudanese refugees. At this settlement, partnering with UNHCR, a UN agency which helps refugees worldwide, PWJ plans to construct shelters, latrines and bathing rooms for PSN households, provide maintenance and repair temporary public facilities.

When providing safe water to people, PWJ also provides hygiene promotion activities. Proper hand washing plays a critical role of a prevention of spreading water borne diseases. Especially when children can be very vulnerable to such diseases. PWJ team goes to schools and carry out hand washing practices training as well as educates groups of refugees so they can help educating others.

Kiden Esther is a PWJ’s Project Assistant who is a refugee settled in Imvepi settlement. She exiled from South Sudan in February 2017. She is a single mother with 2 children, and working for PWJ has enabled her and her family to live independently. When asked about her future plan, she answered with a smile, “if the situation in South Sudan turns better, I want to go back to my hometown with my children. I want to build my own house using the knowledge and experiences of what I gained here, so that my children can live in a safe and secure environment.”

In Uganda, PWJ plans to continue to support South Sudanese refugees, and YOUR support is needed.