Uganda Red Cross Society is a membership humanitarian organization incorporated in 1964, by an enactment of the Red Cross Act, Cap 57 of the laws of Uganda.
Today, 1770 adolescent and women aged between 12-45 years in Palorinya Refugee Settlement, Zone 3 East and West in Obongi district received Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits from Uganda Red Cross Society.
This is part of the Health Project that focuses on improving the reproductive health of vulnerable girls and women in this community.
The selected beneficiaries are from both the refugee settlement and the hosting community.
The Kit comprises of a 10 litre bucket, 3 knickers, 12 pegs, 1 bar of soap, 4 reusable pads, a towel, a hanging line, and cotton fabric for covering when the girls wash the Pads.
While distributing the Menstrual Hygiene Kits in Palorinya Refugee settlement today, Joram Musinguzi, the Project Cash Transfer Officer (CTP) appreciated the role played by the Red Cross in promoting the welfare of women and more so, addressing the menstrual health components which are usually left out by many in programing.
“We are using the conditioned cash voucher system where each of the beneficiaries has been given a voucher card worth 120,000 to pick all components of the Menstrual Hygiene Management Kit of their choice. We have also used the market fare system where different vendors have brought different items for women to select from. This promotes choice and dignify among the girls and women.” Musinguzi added.
Irene Nakasiita, the Director of Communication Resource Mobilization and Partnerships at Uganda Red Cross thanked the donors for availing funds that support the programs which uplift women in society.
“We promote menstrual Hygiene Management at individual and community level. Even men are involved so that they appreciate that menstruation is normal and society should not stop and look at girls in menstruation with the norms and cultural connotations that belittle women. We also want girls to keep in school even during menstruation. School retention protects girls against early marriages, and gives them confidence to be what they want to become in future. I thank the Partners who contributed to this project.” Nakasiita added.
This project is funded by the Swiss Red Cross through the German Red Cross.
It focuses on improving menstrual hygiene management among the most vulnerable women both in the host community and in the refugee settlement of Palorinya , Moyo district.
Uganda Red Cross has also extended 400,000 litres of clean and safe water, serving a total population of 54000 people in Zone 3 Palorinya refugee.
URCS constructed a water facility where 66 water user committees have been trained in the operations and maintaining of 11 tap stands placed in the settlement.
Latib Ibrahim, the Camp Commandant – Office of the Prime Minister in Palorinya refugee settlement thanked the Red Cross for all services rendered.
“We are always grateful for the support from the Uganda Red Cross, especially in the WASH sector. Our women in the settlement always find it hard when they are in their menstrual days. They keep home and girls have been missing school. With the menstral Hygiene kits, girls will now be able to compete favorably with boys in classes. And with the water availed, Sanitation and hygiene will be well observed here. Thank you Uganda Red Cross.” Latim added.
