CCMB stands for 'Combating Child Mortality among Batwa'. The project aims to fight child mortality among the Batwa, an ethnic minority living on the margins of the rainforest in Southwest Uganda. The rainforest was converted into a protected nature park in the 1990s, which meant the Batwa were evicted from the forest that they had depended on for thousands of years. Today they live in extreme poverty and with a child mortality rate which greatly exceeds the national average. The Batwa were never compensated for the loss of their land and home and for this reason around half of the Batwa live on other people's property, in small huts made of leaves and with extremely poor access to clean water and sanitation. The project helps Batwa children below five receive health care and teaches adults about health, nutrition and sanitary conditions.

Target group

The primary target group are Batwa children below five years as well as pregnant women in 20 villages in Southwest Uganda. The secondary target group is the rest of the village, who receives education in health care and sanitation.

Aktiviteter

- improving Batwa people's access to basic health care through mobile clinics, which visit all of the villages, as well as improving access to the public health care system.

- educating Batwa people about health care, nutrition and illnesses. The project also educates specific community members, who are part of a health care team, and who can guide others in the communities.

- as part of health care education, the project distributes necessary items, such as mosquito nets, blankets, soap, clothing for babies etc.

- all children are examined for malnutrition, including undernutrition and are treated immediately if necessary.

- establishing better water and sanitation facilities in the communities, by for example building latrines and water containers. 

- together with authorities, the project buys land for Batwa without ownership of land in order for them to cultivate it and feed their families.

Area

Southwest Uganda

Duration and budget

The project is financed by Danmarks Indsamling 2008 with 1.6 million DKK and lasts two years.

Contact

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