Uganda is a landlocked country with beautiful nature located in East Africa.

The northern Uganda had been suffered from conflicts between the government and rebel forces for more than 20 years until 2006. The conflict was adjusted, but the lack of infrastructure such as water supplying facilities, schools, health centers, etc. is still a big problem. Infectious diseases spread even in the surrounding of the capital Kampala under bad hygienic condition, and the "Correct handwashing" can be a lifeline for children. But a research result in 2007 shows that only 14% of them wash their hands after using the toilet.

SARAYA and Japan Committee for UNICEF chose Uganda as our supporting country, where quick spread of correct handwashing is required for healthy life of returned inhabitants under the restoration period.

The infant mortality rate^※1 is 38 per 1,000 population.
The under-5 mortality rate is 55 per 1,000 population.
More than 75% of the death-causing diseases are preventable.^※2

※1 Under-1 years old
※2 The State of the World's Children 2016 (The value is rounded off to the closest whole number.)

In 2009, before the project starts, the infant mortality rate was 57 per 1,000 population and the under-5 mortality rate was 89 per 1,000 population. The situation has been improved after the project started in 2010.

According to Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, Uganda (MoFPED), more than 75% of the death-causing diseases are considered as preventable. An another report shows that 35~50% of diarrhea and 23% of acute respiratory infection, which are the top 2 causes of infants' death in Uganda, can be decreased by correct handwashing using soap.

We aim to further improve hygienic condition and children's health condition through promoting correct handwashing.