Uganda: programs & priorities

The civil unrest in northern Uganda, due to prolonged agitation by the LRA, has resulted in over a million internally displaced persons. These people now live in overcrowded churches, schools and other buildings which have been turned into makeshift refugee camps. ChildFund Australia's affiliate organisation in Uganda is a lead food distribution partner with the World Food Program and has also been providing blankets, malaria nets, relief transportation and other items to help internally displaced persons.

ChildFund in Uganda also operates Child Centred Spaces in some of the camps, which are aimed at giving children a sense of order and a safe haven during the turmoil, and provide organised activities through sports, play, arts and cultural activities.

In an effort to protect children from childhood diseases, children under the age of two years receive complete immunisation in ChildFund in Uganda communities. ChildFund communities also participate in malaria prevention programs including bed net distributions to decrease the occurrence of malaria in children.

To ensure that all children to receive an education, ChildFund in Uganda provides uniforms, scholastic materials and tuition assistance. ChildFund-assisted projects have built and furnished classrooms that provide remedial teaching for enrolled students. Additionally, ChildFund in Uganda supports programs that focus on the rights of women and girls by promoting education for girls.

Development in progress

The widespread incidence of HIV and AIDS has resulted in a number of initiatives. ChildFund in Uganda provides home-based care with training offered by social workers who teach family members how to care for the sick and counsel children who face the fear of losing loved ones.

Other aspects of this program include psychosocial support for orphans and other vulnerable children, child health and nutrition, HIV and AIDS prevention and sustainable livelihoods through income-generating activities.