UNICEF appeals for over US $3 million

UNICEF on Tuesday launched an appeal for more than US $3 million to assist in water and sanitation, health and nutrition, and education and psycho-social support programmes in crisis-affected districts of north and west Uganda. In a statement, UNICEF said less than half the population had access to safe water and sanitation facilities. It said a survey of 90 primary schools in the area revealed that only two per cent of these schools had adequate latrine facilities. In insecure areas, trade, cultivation, schooling, investment, cultural activities, tax collection and community development were all hampered. In the past year, about 120,000 new displaced people had sought refuge in camps in the Ruwenzori mountains area. “Whether IDPs, host families or residents, the population in this area is amongst the poorest in Uganda,” UNICEF said.