People affected by conflict
AMREF works in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan, both areas affected by more than 20 years of conflict. AMREF meets urgent needs in these regions but we are also taking a long-term approach to improving health by working closely with local communities.
Northern Uganda
In Northern Uganda, the conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army and the government has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of 1.5 million.
More than 20,000 children were abducted by rebel soldiers in a conflict which has terrorized the entire population. Since the Juba peace talks started in 2006, peace agreements have been signed, but the conflict is far from over.
60% of the population in Northern Uganda is still internally displaced in camps where malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea are causing high levels of mortality.
In Uganda, half of the health centers are not functioning; almost three quarters are run by non-professional and informal health workers.
AMREF is providing clean water for internally displaced people’s camps, improving hygiene standards, and training pump mechanics. We are also encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated and training community members to vaccinate children under five. Three years into the AMREF project, Gulu had the highest vaccination rate in the country at over 90%, increased from 58%.
Southern Sudan
Southern Sudan is emerging from 21 years of civil war and currently facing a health crisis. Four million refugees are expected to return to the country, but most of the health centers have been destroyed and the majority of health workers have fled the area.
At present, less than 100 doctors and 600 nurses serve a population of over eight million people. AMREF is training doctors, nurses, clinical officers, community midwives, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and community health workers from around the region. Once trained, they return to their communities and are often the only trained health workers for miles.
In the Terekeka county, AMREF is providing basic health care and clean water to 150,000 people. AMREF also runs a health center in the town of Tali. The center has one of the region’s only maternity clinics and works to save mothers and newborns from preventable deaths.
Projects and stories
Northern Uganda
Southern Sudan
