Goal: To ensure safe and resilient water supply in rural, drought and flood-prone communities

Summary/Activities: Uganda is one of the countries that are greatly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including increasing temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, heat waves, droughts, floods and storms. All of these have a direct impact on the reliability and safety of water supply in the country. In order to address the current and future impacts of climate change, since 2011, UNICEF has been supporting the roll out of solar-powered water systems in rural communities, health centers and schools across the country. The programme focusses primarily on the adaptation of existing water sources (e.g. a borehole with high yielding or surface water such as lake, spring, or river) which is then powered by solar panels, which draw water from deep in the ground. The systems cost very little to maintain and do not rely on expensive fuel supply. They operate automatically (without the need for human intervention) and are also highly durable. As a result, the systems are also being used to power large water supply projects in communities and refugee settlements. One example of this is in Kiriyandongo refugee settlement, where the solar powered water system is supporting more than 162,000 people.

More info: https://www.unicef.org/environment/files/Uganda_solar_powered_water_2014.pdf https://www.unicef.org/esaro/5440_uga2015_no-more-pumping.html https://rwsnforum7.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/rwsn-presentation-unicef-solar-system.pdf