Nakivale (Uganda): soap distribution

As part of the prevention of uncleanness-related diseases, the UNHCR and its partner organizations, among others, are distributing hygiene materials. Refugees from the Nakivale camp in Uganda thrive on it. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

This activity concerns all the villages of the Nakivale camp and each person receives three soaps.

The NGO “Alight” which takes care of the hygiene component explains that it wants to fight against uncleanness-related diseases, especially cholera which often appears in the camp.

The campaign is also supported by the UNHCR and NGOs such as Medical Team International (MTI) and NSAMIZI, in charge of water and sanitation.

These humanitarian NGOs paint a damning picture. “During the cholera epidemic that took place between 2018 and 2020, more than 50 people died. We want to limit the damage”, say their agents.

Refugees in the Nakivale camp rejoice in this activity.

“I am really happy to receive soaps. I haven’t had one for a long time. I warmly thank the UNHCR that thought of us again in order to be able to protect us against diarrheal diseases”, said a mother found at the distribution point.

The camp has just gone more than four months without such a distribution.

“I thought the opportunity to receive soaps would not happen anymore, but to my surprise, here it is. In 2020 I lost my pregnant wife following the cholera epidemic. The soap that was bought at 4000 shillings is sold at 7000 shillings today. With this distribution of soaps, we hope that prices will decrease because several soaps will end up on the market”, adds a Burundian refugee.

The Nakivale camp has more than 140,000 refugees, including more than 33,000 Burundians.