Austria has committed €3.5 million to a UNICEF programme intended to improve access to safe water and sanitation for refugees and host communities in Uganda’s West Nile region, under an agreement signed on November 6.
UNICEF will contribute another €390,000, bringing the programme’s total value to €3.89 million.
The project covers Yumbe and Madi-Okollo districts.
UNICEF expects more than 72,000 people to benefit directly from the three-year programme.
Programme scheduled through September 2029
The project implementation period runs from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2029.
Its activities include construction and rehabilitation of water supply systems and sanitation facilities.
The programme will work with Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, district authorities and local communities.
UNICEF said the infrastructure will be designed to withstand climate-related risks, including droughts and floods.
The agreement has been signed, but the announcement does not establish that all planned facilities have already been constructed.
Health centres and communities identified
Approximately 50,000 people are expected to receive improved water and sanitation services through five health centres.
Another 8,000 community members are expected to benefit from two climate-resilient water supply systems.
The programme also includes improvements to facilities serving schools.
UNICEF identified approximately 14,925 primary and secondary schoolchildren among the intended direct beneficiaries.
The agency has not published a complete list of individual schools and healthcare facilities included in the project.
Wider hygiene activities target 1.3 million people
The programme includes community engagement, sanitation promotion and public health education expected to reach more than 1.3 million people.
That wider target includes more than 400,000 refugees.
The 1.3 million figure concerns broader programme activities and should not be interpreted as the number of people receiving new household water connections.
UNICEF separately identifies more than 72,000 intended direct beneficiaries.
The distinction is relevant when measuring the programme’s infrastructure outcomes.
Climate adaptation measures included
The project will examine measures such as solar-powered water systems, groundwater recharge and protection of water catchments.
It also includes activities intended to improve the maintenance of water infrastructure.
The government of Austria is providing approximately 90% of the announced €3.89 million programme value.
That percentage is calculated from Austria’s €3.5 million contribution and the total programme budget.
UNICEF has not published a year-by-year expenditure schedule in the November 6 announcement.
