Samaritan’s Purse launches campaign to tackle Uganda’s Water Poverty Cycle

Samaritan’s Purse launches campaign to tackle Uganda’s Water Poverty Cycle
From Samaritan's Purse (UK and Ireland) For Immediate Release
KARAMOJA, NORTHERN UGANDA (ANS – Feb. 17. 2105) -- Samaritan’s Purse is launching a campaign to help 20,000 people in Karamoja, northern Uganda, break free from the crippling effects of water poverty.
Globally, one in ten people lacks access to clean water (WHO/UNICEF - JMP Report, 2014), but in Karamoja the situation is far worse, with six in ten people living there lacking access to clean water.
Families in Karamoja are affected in unimaginable ways by this situation. Sickness caused by preventable waterborne disease prevents children attending school; their parents/carers have to stay home to look after them, so they cannot earn a living; lack of money means that families cannot afford food or healthcare. With parents/carers tied to the home, it often falls to their daughters to walk several miles each day to/from the nearest water source, denying them an education and putting them at risk of sexual abuse or attack.
So innocent children and others in their family are falling ill, or dying, simply because they are unable to secure access to a safe, clean water supply, and families are trapped in a cycle of poverty where hope for the future is replaced by hopelessness and despair.
To help these communities break out of this vicious cycle Samaritan’s Purse is planning to rehabilitate 45 broken wells and drill five new boreholes in Karamoja, and provide comprehensive sanitation and hygiene education.
Samaritan’s Purse has launched a campaign – Still, Sparkling or Dirty - to eliminate water poverty for more than 20,000 people living in 50 communities in Karamoja.
A well or borehole will provide clean water for approximately 400 people right where they live. On average it will cost £6,000 to install and/or repair the 50 wells in Karamoja. This includes important training for local mechanics in how to maintain the wells, and teaching for the local community in good hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent the spread of diseases in the future.
Every donation raised through this campaign will be matched, Pound for Pound, by the UK government.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening explains: “Dirty water and poor sanitation kills around 1.5 million children every year and robs many more of their futures. In remote communities it is usually girls who have to give up their education to make daily journeys to collect clean water.
“Doubling public donations to the Samaritan’s Purse Turn on the Tap appeal will help more than 20,000 people in Uganda access clean water and learn about good hygiene practices. This will not only save lives but help children to benefit from a regular education.”
Samaritan’s Purse UK Executive Director, Simon Barrington is urging people to respond to this appeal, saying: “We have the power to do something, to bring the precious choice of clean water and new life to these people. We can do this.
“It’s a simple act. It doesn’t take much, and for every Pound that is raised, the UK government will give a Pound as well. I want to encourage people across the UK to do whatever they can, and then some more to make clean water a reality for these people.
“Do something extraordinary to help the people of Karamoja on or around World Water Day - 22nd March 2015. We have some great fundraising resources for individuals, churches and schools.”
For more information on how to get involved in the Still, Sparkling or Dirty campaign go to: www.TurnOnTheTap.org.uk
For media inquiries, please contact Peter Wooding by e-mail at peter@peterwoodingproductions.com or via his website www.peterwoodingproductions.com

Photo: Photo captions
1) Logo
2) Right now six out of 10 families in Karamoja drink dirty water. This leads to waterborne diseases, children missing school, widespread poverty and untimely deaths.
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