With support from Austrian Development Cooperation through the Austrian Red Cross, the Uganda Red Cross Society is implementing the SkyBird Project which is addressing Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) needs of vulnerable communities in selected districts in Uganda.
In Bundibugyo District, the National Society has distributed 830 Menstrual Hygiene Kits & 500 jerricans to DR-Congolese women refugees & girls of childbearing age. The intention is to improve hygiene and sanitation amongst the feminine gender within the region. The kit contains a towel, pant pegs, knickers, a bucket, a bar of soap, reusable & non-reusable sanitary pads (2), and a 20-liter Jerry can.
The distribution was carried out at Lamia Church of Uganda and Busunga Catholic Church clusters, Nyahuka Town council, Sindira, and Bundingoma sub-counties where these refugees reside. The Uganda Red Cross Society works closely with the Office of The Prime Minister while responding to disasters at national level, and to the districts this is done alongside the district leadership.
“Uganda Red Cross has been supportive to us as a District right from developing the District Contingency Multi-hazard plan to supporting refugees. They have improved hygiene in communities, put up latrines, & hand wash facilities. These menstrual hygiene kits have come in time when we needed them most, these kits will help women improve on their hygiene during their monthly days.”
The Chairperson Bundibugyo District Disaster Management Committee, Francis Ssenyondo notes. Sensitizing the communities through community engagement is vital during emergencies, Uganda Red Cross volunteers in Bundibugyo conducted sentizitation to over 5000 persons of concern on menstrual hygiene and sanitation, they were empowered with knowledge and skills in managing Menstrual hygiene.
Sensitizing the communities through community engagement is vital during emergencies, Uganda Red Cross volunteers in Bundibugyo conducted sentizitation to over 5000 persons of concern on menstrual hygiene and sanitation, they were empowered with knowledge and skills in managing Menstrual hygiene.
The Uganda Red Cross Society branch Manager, Bundibugyo Winifred Auma, noted that “The support from Austrian Red Cross and the Austrian Development Cooperation of menstrual kits to refugee women is part of Protection and promoting dignity among girls & women.” We have not only distributed menstrual hygiene kits, but we have also constructed latrines and emphasized hand washing by setting up hand washing facilities in communities. Auma added. One of the beneficiaries, Esther Kyomugisa shares her ordeal of not being able to afford sanitary towels during the menstrual period.
” I have been suffering when I go into my periods because I didn’t have enough materials to use, these kits will help me manage my periods well, thanks to Red Cross.”
Uganda hosts over 1.4 million refugees and asylum seekers who require Humanitarian services across the country