Austria and UNICEF commit 3.89 million euros to water crisis in West Nile

The Austrian government and UNICEF signed an agreement in Kampala to fund a three-year programme to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the Yumbe and Madi-Okollo districts of Uganda.

The initiative aims to support more than 72,000 direct beneficiaries, primarily women and children, who live in areas where large refugee populations share strained resources with local communities. The programme addresses severe shortages caused by erratic rainfall and falling groundwater levels.

Currently, some schools in West Nile have 71 pupils sharing a single latrine, which is nearly double the national standard of 40. To tackle these issues, the project will construct and rehabilitate water systems in schools and five health centres. It also includes the creation of two new water supply systems designed to withstand climate-related disruptions. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative will launch hygiene campaigns to reach more than 1.3 million people, including over 400,000 refugees.

The project incorporates climate adaptation measures such as solar-powered water systems, groundwater recharge, and tree growing. These efforts intend to move the region away from temporary emergency assistance toward sustainable systems that local authorities and residents can maintain independently.