Philippe Vandekerckhove, the CEO of Belgian Red Cross Flanders and President of the Global Advisory Panel (GAP), recently embarked on a visit to the Humanitarian Protection 1 (HP1) project areas in Bidi Bidi and Imvepi refugee settlements in North Western Uganda.
Accompanied by Luc Pirspn, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Belgium, and Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Secretary General Robert Kwesiga, Vandekerckhove reaffirmed his organization’s support for vital projects aimed at improving the lives of refugees and host communities in Uganda.
During the visit, the team officially commissioned and handed over a piped water system in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement Zone IV Annex that was constructed by the Humanitarian Protection one project, a project funded through his National Society.
This essential infrastructure is poised to provide safe and clean drinking water to approximately 6,130 refugees and individuals in the host community on a daily basis, marking a huge improvement in water accessibility and hygiene standards in the area.
URCS Secretary General Robert Kwesiga, instrumental in overseeing the handover process, highlighted the transformative impact of this initiative.
“Before the project, the clean water ratio per person was only 5%, which was inadequate. With the completion of the project, we have seen a commendable increase to 17.5% per person per day, significantly enhancing sanitation and hygiene conditions.While we are not yet at the recommended 20% per person per day, we are moving closer,” noted Kwesiga.
Moreover, the project’s broader impact extends to improving livelihoods through agricultural activities. Kwesiga emphasized how the water infrastructure has facilitated year-round farming, particularly in areas around the tap stands, leading to improved diets and economic resilience among beneficiaries.
Expressing his commendation for URCS’s timely execution of the project, Vandekerckhove stressed the importance of sustained collaboration and pledged further support to ensure the delivery of quality and sustainable humanitarian assistance.
“We aim to maintain our collaboration with URCS and will endeavor to secure additional funding for their initiatives,” Vandekerckhove affirmed.
The water system, designed for long-term sustainability, incorporates innovative features such as a hybrid submersible pump system powered by solar energy and diesel generators, ensuring reliable water supply over a 20-year period.
Additionally, the project included the construction of sanitation facilities, including inclusive pit latrines for girls with disabilities, further enhancing hygiene standards and accessibility.
Beyond water and sanitation interventions, Vandekerckhove and his team engaged with various project beneficiaries, including those receiving cash assistance, participating in hygiene and sanitation programs, and first aid training at institutions like Imvepi Secondary School.
Geoffrey Amandu, the Deputy Head Teacher of Oluba Primary School in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement Zone IV Annex, shared the challenges his pupils faced in accessing safe and clean water, especially during the dry seasons.
“The pupils used to walk over 15 kilometers to collect safe and clean water. But thanks to URCS, we now have an all-inclusive tap stand right in our school compound,” Amandu said.
The HP1 project’s success and the continued commitment of organizations like Belgian Red Cross Flanders and URCS exemplify the collaborative efforts aimed at safeguarding human dignity and building resilient communities amidst humanitarian challenges.
