KAMPALA: On 21 November, UNFPA, with funding from the Embassy of Japan in Uganda, donated two fully-equipped ambulances and a range of humanitarian supplies to ACORD, a key implementing partner, to strengthen maternal health and emergency response in Uganda’s West Nile region. This contribution aimed to enhance the referral system in Madi-Okollo and Terego districts, ensuring that refugees and host communities receive timely, life-saving healthcare, especially for mothers and newborns in crisis situations.
This contribution, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japanese Supplementary Budget (FY23/24) under the Delivering Lifesaving Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Interventions in Emergency (DELISIE) project (totaling USD 1,001,855), directly addresses critical gaps in emergency care. The project focuses on ensuring timely, life-saving healthcare, particularly for mothers and newborns in crisis situations.
The need is particularly acute in Terego District, which lacks a general hospital and has struggled with high maternal mortality rates. The new ambulances provide a crucial link to essential medical attention for expectant mothers and emergency cases.
Ms. Olema Annet, Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Terego District, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of Japan and UNFPA for their unwavering commitment to improving healthcare in humanitarian settings.
“We are deeply grateful for UNFPA’s significant contribution to our district,” she said. “The recruitment of five midwives has significantly strengthened our healthcare workforce, allowing us to provide critical services to both refugees and host communities.”
During the handover ceremony, H.E. Sasayama Takuya, the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to human security and peace—core pillars of the country’s foreign policy.
“One tangible manifestation of this commitment is our steadfast support for sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence interventions,” Ambassador Sasayama stated. “The ambulance we are donating today is more than just a vehicle, it is a symbol of our strong partnership with UNFPA and the people of Uganda. It represents our collective resolve to ensure that vulnerable populations receive critical healthcare services during times of crisis.”
He emphasized that these ambulances will help in bridging the gap in emergency care, safeguarding the health and well-being of communities in need.
Ms. Gift Malunga, UNFPA Uganda Country Representative, underscored the shared commitment to protecting lives and ensuring dignity for all.
“Every mother saved is a family preserved, every life protected is a community strengthened, and every dignity upheld is a future empowered. Today’s event symbolizes hope, care and our collective efforts to make a difference in the lives of those affected by crises,” Ms Malunga said.
She also highlighted that the ambulances and humanitarian supplies will improve referral systems between health facilities in refugee settlements in Madi-Okollo and Terego. These efforts will facilitate emergency care, psychosocial support, family planning and maternal health services.
UNFPA remains dedicated to working with the Government of Uganda, development partners, UN agencies and local stakeholders to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
“We must intensify our efforts to leave no one behind,” Ms. Malunga urged. “Together, let us continue to ensure zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices.”
She also commended the Government of Japan for its generous support of UNFPA’s mission, reaffirming UNFPA’s commitment to ensuring that sexual and reproductive health and rights remain a priority in Uganda’s development agenda.
Written by Emmanet Nabwire
