AMREF works in northern Uganda and Southern Sudan, both areas affected by more than 20 years of conflict. AMREF meets urgent needs by providing clean water in camps, for example. But we are also taking a long-term approach, working with and closely involving local communities.
| In northern Uganda, the conflict between the Lords Resistance Army and the government has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of 1.5 million. |
More than 20,000 children were abducted by rebel soldiers in a conflict which has terrorised the entire population. Since the Juba peace talks started in 2006, peace agreements have been signed, but the conflict is far from over.
60% of the population in northern Uganda is still internally displaced in camps where malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea are causing high levels of mortality.
| Half the health centres are not functioning: almost three quarters are run by unprofessional and informal health workers. |
AMREF is providing clean water for internally displaced people’s camps, improving hygiene standards and training pump mechanics. We are also training community members to vaccinate children under-five and encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated. In 2006, Gulu had the highest vaccination rate in the country at over 90%, increased from 58% when AMREF started the programme in 2003.
Emerging from 21 years of civil war, Southern Sudan, is facing a health crisis.
Four million refugees are expected to return to the country, but most of the health centres have been destroyed and the majority of health workers have fled the area.
At present, less than 100 doctors and 600 nurses serve a population of over eight million people.
AMREF is training doctors, nurses, clinical officers, community midwives, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and community health workers from around the region. Once trained, they go back to their communities and are often the only trained health workers for miles around. In Terekeka county in Eastern Equatoria we are providing basic health care, clean water and training health and hygiene promoters, to the benefit of 150,000 people.
Projects and stories
Northern Uganda
Southern Sudan
