Uganda
In Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement—home to nearly 190,000 people from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia and Ethiopia—families face daily challenges: overcrowded latrines, limited access to clean water and unsafe conditions for women and girls.
CWS is partnering with refugee communities to change that. Together, we’re building latrines and household handwashing stations, installing large water tanks for emergency storage and distributing reusable menstrual hygiene kits with training to support women’s health and confidence.
These simple, life-changing solutions restore dignity, reduce the spread of disease and help families feel safe and supported. Refugees are also hired through cash-for-work programs, creating jobs and a sense of ownership in the process.
Whether through emergency response or long-term support, we believe everyone deserves clean water, a safe home and the opportunity to thrive.
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Latest Updates
Dignity Restored: How Menstrual Health Is Transforming Girls’ Lives in Nakivale
CWS’s WASH Emergency Response Project in Nakivale Refugee Settlement is restoring dignity and opportunity for women and girls by providing reusable menstrual hygiene kits, training and improved sanitation facilities. For girls like Amina, this support means renewed confidence, uninterrupted education and a powerful reclaiming of agency in displacement. Building Dignity and Strengthening Girls’ Education When Amina first arrived at the …
Improving Health and Dignity for Refugees in Nakivali: A Comprehensive WASH Initiative
In southwestern Uganda, Church World Service is leading a transformative Water, Sanitation and Hygiene initiative in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, improving daily life for nearly 190,000 refugees through clean water access, safe sanitation and community education. Addressing Urgent Needs in Nakivale Nakivale Refugee Settlement, one of Africa’s largest and oldest, hosts approximately 190,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, …
“If I did not have the opportunity of getting into the United States, maybe I wouldn’t be alive today.”
“My name is Deborah Baliraine Jane, a mother of four children and an acid survivor. Prior to an attack that happened to me in January 2014, while I was still in my country of origin, Uganda, I was a successful businesswoman. I owned a restaurant and a bakery, which hired around 15 people. I also worked with women who were …