This campaign has now closed
The situation in northern Uganda has been described as the “world’s most neglected crisis” by the United Nations’ Humanitarian Co-ordinator. It has resulted in the displacement of up to 1.3 million people from their homes. The displaced people live in camps where they face acute water shortages, chronic hunger and diseases like malaria, cholera and dysentery. Another major health concern is HIV and AIDS: in the camps the HIV prevalence rate is particularly high at 12%. Previously self-sufficient farmers have been forced from their homes and are now dependent upon aid. Since 2006, ongoing peace talks between the government of Uganda and the Lords Resistance Army has resulted in some signs of improvement in the situation with around 300,000 people choosing to return home. For people returning home, access to safe water is low and infrastructure is limited. Many who have returned to their villages continue to use the camp water points or walk considerable distances in search of water. The British Red Cross has a long-standing charity partnership with the Ugandan Red Cross providing both funding and technical support. Our independence, neutrality and local volunteer presence as a charity frequently allows us access to the remotest areas. We need to raise £250,000 to help people regain their independence. Please help us to address this urgent situation now. For case studies and further information please see: http://www.redcross.org.uk/uganda For a video, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4aVIK2DzkI
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The work of the British Red Cross charity in northern Uganda focuses on the long-term recovery of people affected by the 20-year conflict between the government and the Lords Resistance Army. We aim, through all of our charity projects, to restore people’s independence and dignity. Our programmes in northern Uganda have helped more than 750,000 people since 2002. These programmes address some of the most important challenges to recovery of the region, such as healthcare, food security, clean water and sanitation. Our flexible programme supports people living in camps and those who are choosing to return to their homes. Our primary priority is to benefit household and local economies through distributions of seeds and tools. Packages are assembled with the involvement of communities to determine the most appropriate crops to grow. Providing seeds and tools enables households to grow food for their families and for sale in local markets. Where people are forced to live in crowded conditions, risks to health are significantly increased. Diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory illnesses, malaria, cholera and dysentery are a constant threat. It is estimated that the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS stands at 12% of the population of the camps. The security of women in the camps is also a major issue; there is a high rate of sexual violence, including forced marriages and rape and other forms of sexual abuse like forced prostitution. The Red Cross provides specific charity services for women in the camps, including gender based violence awareness sessions and kits for expectant mothers. We also organise HIV and AIDS awareness sessions. The Red Cross also works with communities to provide sanitation facilities to reduce the threat of water-borne diseases. We seek to support people wherever they feel safest and for those who choose to return home, we repair water sources within villages. We value the support we receive very highly. The Red Cross charity has a permanent presence in communities across the world through our sister national societies. We can therefore provide assurances that our donations are secure. We invite supporters to become as involved in our charity work as they wish to, so they understand the impact their contribution makes to the lives of the people we help. We want our supporters to feel as much of a sense of ownership and pride in the Red Cross as we do. For case studies and further information please see: http://www.redcross.org.uk/uganda