The Government of Austria, through the Austrian Development Agency, and UNICEF signed a grant agreement on 6 November 2026 under which Austria will provide EUR 3.5 million (approximately UGX 14.96 billion) to improve safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in the refugee-hosting districts of Yumbe and Madi-Okollo in West Nile, UNICEF Uganda said. With UNICEF's EUR 390,000 contribution, the programme is valued at EUR 3.89 million.

The three-year programme, titled Strengthening the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus through WASH and Climate Action in West Nile, has a reported implementation period of 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029. It is intended to directly benefit more than 72,000 people, including approximately 14,925 children enrolled in primary and secondary schools. Planned interventions include improved WASH access for approximately 50,000 people through five health centres, safe water for an estimated 8,000 community members via two climate-resilient community water systems, and sanitation and hygiene promotion reaching more than 1.3 million people across the two districts, including over 400,000 refugees.

UNICEF said the districts, which host the Bidibidi and Rhino Camp settlements, face water stress from erratic rainfall, prolonged dry seasons and declining groundwater levels. It reported that on average 71 pupils share one latrine against a national standard of 40, and that one in three health facilities lacks adequate water and sanitation services. The programme is described as aligned with Uganda's National Development Plan IV, the National Climate Change Policy and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.