Humanitarian action for children in Uganda

Summit in Kampala, Uganda

Leaders from over 120 countries were invited to an international summit in the Ugandan capital Kampala in January. Ahead of the summit, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) launched an operation to keep children off the streets. Over 700 children and youth were removed from the center of Kampala. The children were taken to the Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) facilities in Masulita.

The children of Masulita

As a result of the government's actions, the influx of children into Masulita has become difficult to manage. There is an urgent need to ensure the basic needs of the children, such as food, medical care and psychosocial support.

Erikshjälpen's partner organization in Uganda

Erikshjälpen has started a short-term humanitarian operation together with our partner organization in Uganda, Dwelling Places. At the same time, we are looking at the possibilities for a long-term solution. The humanitarian intervention will provide direct assistance and protection to the total of 711 children currently living in the UWESCO Masulitas center.

This is done by:

• Ensure that children get enough nutritious food
• Distribute medical supplies and ensure access to specialist care if needed
• Offer all children individualized psychological trauma-informed care
• Improving sanitation conditions in Masulita, through toiletries and cleaning products
• Provide learning materials for children.

Dwelling Places

Dwelling Places is part of the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network and the Children at Risk Action Network. In addition to the direct work of helping children living on the streets, the organization is involved in advocacy work at the national level. Erikshjälpen has an ongoing effort with Dwelling Places in particularly vulnerable areas such as Nepak and Kampala.