Support Community-Led Ebola Containment in Uganda

Dear donor,

As Uganda continues managing the Ebola outbreak with 20 confirmed cases, infection prevention extends beyond healthcare facilities and into the communities where families live, work, and gather.

Thanks to your generous support, efforts to strengthen safe waste management and environmental hygiene are helping reduce the risk of disease transmission in high-risk districts and border communities near the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Community health teams, local councils, and volunteers are working together to educate households, schools, markets, and public institutions on the importance of safely handling and disposing of potentially contaminated waste. Public awareness sessions emphasize proper disposal of used gloves, tissues, cleaning materials, and other items that may come into contact with body fluids during caregiving. Communities are also being encouraged to maintain clean compounds, improve drainage around public facilities, and organize regular clean-up campaigns to promote healthier environments.

Market committees and school management teams have taken an active role by establishing designated waste collection points and encouraging routine sanitation activities. These improvements are helping create cleaner public spaces while reinforcing the importance of infection prevention as part of everyday life.

Community members increasingly understand that maintaining a clean environment complements other Ebola prevention measures such as handwashing, early reporting of symptoms, and cooperation with health authorities. This growing awareness is fostering a stronger culture of public health responsibility throughout affected communities.

Your continued support is helping communities create safer environments where families can live, learn, and work with greater confidence. By strengthening environmental hygiene and safe waste management practices, you are reducing transmission risks while building healthier communities that will remain better prepared for future public health challenges.