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4.4 Achievements in 2008/09
As previously noted, the improved security situation in Northern Uganda has eased the requirement on emergency
response service delivery. Nevertheless, the continued existence of IDP camps and the process of return of IDP to
their homes continues to present challenges for NGOs operating in the Region. UNICEF has continued to
coordinate outstanding emergency operations as described below, as well as to lead the planning and execution of
the transition from humanitarian response to sector development under government leadership and
management. UNCEF has continued to channel funds to the Region, both directly and through partner
organisations, totalling UGX 9.9 billion in 2008/09. A breakdown of this investment is provided in Table 4.4.
4.4.1 Tackling Cholera/Typhoid
Table 4.4: UNICEF WASH expenditure for FY 2008/09
Channel
Amount
USD* UGX*
NGO Partners 2,185,638 4,508,970,926
Contracts 1,242,815 2,563,927,159
Supplies 1,373,221 2,832,955,109
Total 4,801,674 9,905,853,194
Exchange rate: 2,063
In June 2009, a cholera and typhoid outbreak occurred in Kasese district. PACE (formerly PSI) partnered with
UNICEF, URCS and Kasese district authorities to distribute Water Guard, jerrycans and Soap to communities
affected by the outbreak, reaching a total of 7,908 households and 138 schools in the six sub-counties 2 .
4.4.2 Tackling Hepatitis E
Response to Cholera Epidemic in Kasese, June 2009; Photograph by PACE
The Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) epidemic began in Northern Uganda in November 2007, affecting mostly Kitgum
District, where it peaked in June-July 2008. The living conditions of much of the region’s population, characterised
by the existence of IDP camps and affected by the process of return and by poverty, heightened fears of rapid
spread of the virus from Kitgum into neighbouring districts, particularly Gulu and Pader. These concerns were
compounded by the lack of capacity of both government and non-government institutions to respond to the
outbreak quickly and efficiently. Poor sanitation conditions (low coverage of household latrines, and persistent
presence of stagnating water on the ground during the rainy season), lack of safe drinking water and lack of
2 In August 2009, PACE also represented the WASH at the WORLD WATER WEEK Conference Stockholm, making a presentation
on the partnership between UNICEF and PSI during the emergency floods response in Teso (Sept - Dec 2007).
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