Uganda flooding update

"The water was too dirty but we had no option but to drink it," Sila, Otitingo Village, Uganda.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby

Back in November, WaterAid launched an appeal to help, among others, Christine and her children who live in Otitingo, Uganda.

Like thousands of other families across Africa, Christine and her children used to wake at 4am every single day to walk for 3km, and wait up to eight hours to collect water. Worse still, the water they collected was dirty and potentially fatal. Christine’s daughter Sila explained, “The water was too dirty but we had no option but to drink it.”

WaterAid worked with Christine's community to install a handpump to provide them with safe, clean water. "It only takes me five minutes to walk to the pump. Life has improved and now my family do not get sick," Christine explained.

However, just as we launched the appeal, the northern region of Uganda where Christine lives was hit by some of the worst flooding in decades. This part of Uganda is the least developed area of the country and, devastatingly, much of the village of Otitingo was destroyed.

In response to letters we sent to supporters, thousands pledged further support to WaterAid to help others like Christine get access to desperately needed safe, clean water. The outpouring of generosity was humbling.

Since then we have been able to react quickly to the emergency in Uganda, helping raise awareness of good hygiene to minimise diseases during the floods.

Now that the flood waters have receded, WaterAid's partner WEDA is busy catching up on its work with affected communities in the Amuria and Katakwi districts. The school and household water and sanitation programme is continuing to make strides, with over 400 latrines completed and 11 boreholes drilled since the beginning of 2007.

WaterAid wishes to thank all those who gave vital support, without which we simply would not be able to continue our essential work with people like Christine and her family, and the many thousands more who live without safe water or adequate sanitation.