The Austrian Government through the Austrian Development Agency has signed an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide humanitarian assistance amounting to 2.5 million Euros for the next one year.

The head of the Austrian Development Agency office in Kampala, Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer says the assistance will be utilized to support UNHCR in improving water supply, sanitation and hygiene in refugee settlement areas and their host communities in West Nile, Mid-West Uganda and South-West Uganda.

The project is expected to assist 950,000 refugees and members of the host communities by increasing their access to clean water, proper sanitation and improved hygiene, directly improving their health among other benefits.

Before signing this agreement, the UNHCR Country Representative in Uganda, Mathew Crentsil explained that they have a shortfall in funds yet the number of refugees is increasing in the country especially from South Sudan.

He however says these funds will be a catalyst for not only restoring the lives of refugees but also for restoring their dignity.

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