Providing water

We have built 12 tapstands that enable everyone to collect water close to their homes.

Here Caroline Angom, 13, collects water from an Oxfam tapstand.

Before, washing was a luxury. People had to queue all day to fill one jerrycan with water. Now every family can fill three jerrycans each day, without waiting.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Improving sanitation

We have built latrines (pictured) and introduced a health and hygiene promotion infrastructure.

Two Oxfam Public Health Facilitators train and oversee the work of 14 Community Health Workers who in turn manage Village Hygiene Promoters. All of the workers are camp residents.

Such a system is essential when so many people live in such a confined space.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Promoting good health

Health training covers issues like water handling and use, malaria prevention, and keeping facilities clean.

Here, Joyce Oywelo (right), Oxfam Public Health Facilitator, makes a home visit.

She describes the camp before Oxfam came. “People lacked awareness about what to do. No one is accustomed to living in a place like this. There was not enough water for basic hygiene; children were suffering from diarrhoea and malaria “

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Cash for work

We pay people for working on community projects; giving them money for food and other essentials.

Although most people live in camps, some still live on the edges of towns struggling to meet basic family needs.

In Kitgum town Magret Lakop is clearing land ready for planting trees as part of an Oxfam cash-for-work scheme.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Encouraging agriculture

We have distributed animals, seeds and tools when the security situation has allowed.

Such schemes encourage people to produce their own food.

Francis Okello, 18, can be seen milking a cow provided by Oxfam. Surplus milk can be sold to buy food and school materials.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Rehabilitating returnees

Oxfam partner CPA works with children who have been abducted, to help them reintegrate into their communities.

Many children have carried and used weapons; the girls may have been forced into ‘marriage’ with the soldiers. The Concerned Parents Association (CPA) uses drawing, painting and discussion as part of the rehabilitation process.

Here Grace (right) and Regina, take part in a counselling session at CPA in Kitgum.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Supporting communities to move on

The war destroyed many children’s chance of education. A lot of support will be needed to rebuild communities.

Through lobbying nationally and internationally we have worked to bring attention to northern Uganda, and to push for an end to the conflict.

We will continue to work at all levels to ensure people get the support needed to rebuild their lives.

Photo: Geoff Sayer