Austria Commits Shs15b to Boost Water and Sanitation in West Nile Refugee-Hosting Districts

The Austrian government has committed approximately Shs15 billion (EUR 3.5 million) to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for more than 72,000 people in the refugee-hosting districts of Yumbe and Madi-Okollo in Uganda’s West Nile region.

Channeled through the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the funding will support a three-year initiative implemented by UNICEF Uganda. Titled Strengthening the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus through WASH and Climate Action in West Nile, the program will run from October 2026 to September 2029. UNICEF is contributing an additional EUR 390,000, bringing the total budget to EUR 3.89 million.

Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer, Head of the Austrian Embassy’s Development Cooperation, emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right. She noted that investments in climate-resilient infrastructure ensure reliable access despite extreme weather events like droughts and floods. The initiative targets about 14,925 school children, five health centers benefiting 50,000 people, and two new community water systems reaching thousands more.

UNICEF Uganda Representative Dr. Robin Nandy highlighted that the partnership addresses critical infrastructure gaps. Currently, Yumbe and Madi-Okollo—which host major settlements like Bidibidi and Rhino Camp—face severe water stress due to declining groundwater levels and erratic rainfall. Schools in the area average 71 pupils per latrine against a national standard of 40, while one in three health facilities lacks proper WASH services.

Beyond infrastructure, the program will promote community hygiene, support local institution capacity, and introduce climate adaptation measures such as solar-powered supply, biogas systems, and catchment protection. For more details, read the original report on the Daily Monitor.