Are you thankful4water?
“There are certain basic needs that are essential for a dignified life, indeed for life itself. Water is one of these essential human needs…” -UN World Health Organization
“To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.” -U.S. President Barack Obama, Inauguration Speech
Water and Going Home After Displacement in Northern Uganda
WATER IN UGANDA
Population: 27 million
Population lacking clean water: 12.9 million
“70% of hospital visits in East Africa are due to consumption of contaminated water.” African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF)
In recent years studies have been undertaken indicating that one refugee camp well in Northern Uganda might serve as many as 1,000-15,000 people.[1]
Due to “Africa’s longest war” of 23 years and displacement of persons to refugee camps, existing water infrastructures in Northern Uganda have been destroyed or neglected to the state of disrepair. The Peace, Recovery, and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP), submitted by the Ugandan government in July 2008, pinpoints the manner in which water infrastructure development must be a top priority if restoration of this region is to occur. Sadly, recent economic setbacks have limited much of the PRDP funding. Many people are desperate for clean drinking water. Water-related diseases in Northern Uganda are spreading at an epidemic rate. The availability of water dictates the overall health of society. Water is Life.
Jennifer Okello, 16, Water & Daily Life
HEALTH
Diarrhea causes more death than any other disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. “A clean water supply reduces diarrhoea-related death by up to 25%…A baby here [Sub-Sahara Africa] is almost 520 times more likely to die from diarrhoea than one born in Europe.”[2] Within the last five years, the Apac District of Northern Uganda has been associated with hyper-epidemic malaria rates. Clean drinking water availability enables water sources to be properly managed, reducing stagnant water sources wherein malaria-transmitting mosquitoes breed.
GENDER & HIV
In the vast majority of cases, women and children collect water. In some communities water gatherers may walk five or more hours a day for collection. Extended trips to collect water often amounts to neglected young, income opportunities forfeited, gender-based violence, exhaustion, and subjection to harm. In Northern Uganda where HIV rates are twice the national average, minimizing gender violence drastically minimizes the spread of HIV.
CONFLICT
The LRA has been known to target communities relying on few water sources. When everyone in a town or village draws water from one source, the likelihood of attack increases and the ease with which contamination occurs increases. Diversification of water sources decreases victimization in areas of conflict.
EDUCATION
It is hard to overestimate the medical expenses accrued by a Northern Ugandan household from illness associated with unavailable or unclean water. On average women in this region have seven children. Ongoing financial strain from water scarcity inhibits adequate investment in their children’s school fees. Dowry is practiced in Northern Uganda. Since girls might be married off as early as age 13, paying fees for education is sometimes interpreted to be a risk. When girls are able to collect water easily and therefore complete household/domestic duties, the chances of their participation in school increases dramatically. Thus, increasing the proximity of water sources to a community increases the likelihood that girls can attend schools regularly.
RETURNING HOME AFTER A GENERATION OF DISPLACEMENT
Water availability relates much to the well being of the whole social structure and is directly linked with practical sustenance, waterborne disease, gender violence, HIV/AIDS, and education. Providing freshwater wells for those of Northern Uganda will make a drastic and long-lasting positive impact on all of society. As those displaced to refugee camps for a generation are afforded opportunities to return to their villages, water availability dictates whether or not they can return home.
Now, are you thankful4water?
Visit thankful4water.org
[1] Anderson, Rory. Pawns of Politics: Children Crisis and Peace in Uganda. 2nd Edition.
[2] AMREF. Water Born Disease. Web Publication. 2009.
