Tuesday, March 11, 2014 • Mai Gad, DCA
Achol Thon is carrying a baby, Amuor, on her front. If you look carefully, she is also carrying a baby, Athok, on her back. Thon is 25 years old and mother to twin 10-month-old girls, as well as two other children aged three and five. She has come to collect the basic support given from ACT member the Lutheran World Federation and partners in Nyumanzi settlement.
About 65 percent of people fleeing fighting in their homeland are children under 18. In total, 87 percent are women and children, according to the UNHCR.
She came alone to Adjumani. “I don't have anything to cover them (the babies) with, I had to escape from my home, but did not manage to bring anything with me,” Thon says. Small drips of sweat runs down her checks as the sun burns her skin.
The distribution area is crowded, people have lined up according to family size and for the pregnant mothers, mothers with babies and people with special needs, there are special lines and shade. The place is still under construction.
Huge distribution effort underway
In only three days, the LWF distributed relief goods 1750 households of nearly 7000 people. Thon is one of them. “I came seven days ago. I came from Bor in Jonglei State. I was in my home when I could hear the gunshots and I ran with my children. My husband was not at home, he has remained in Bor,” Thon says.
“I am grateful for the support. Before I was sleeping under a tree in the shade with my children, now I have a plot of land and I have just received cups, plates, blankets and things that will help my family. But I am not sure how I shall manage to build a new home without my husband,” Thon says.
As planned in the ACT appeal for Ugandan refugees, the LWF provided 2000 cups, 2000 plates, seven tonnes of laundry soap, 1000 plastic jerry cans for water and 36 baby delivery kits. The LWF has also established 10 community shelters and is building pit latrines, rubbish pits, and bath shelters in Nyumanzi.
“I depend on organisations to help me right now. I hope my future will be bright, here I have found help,” Thon says. Then she takes the blanket and a mat on her head and a friendly person helps her carry the rest of her belongings to her plot of land in Nyumanzi.
More support needed to mothers and people with special needs
When it comes to protection of mothers and children there is need to improve understanding says Titus Jogo, emergency coordinator and refugee desk officer from the Ugandan prime minister’s office.
In addition, expecting mothers need more help, with basic emergency maternal and obstetric care, sterilisation tools being the priority.