Fresh Dairy donates milk powder worth Shs2.2 bn to support Kiteezi slide survivors and refugees

Fresh Dairy has made a significant contribution to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), donating milk powder worth Shs 2.2 billion to enhance the health and nutrition of Kiteezi garbage slide survivors, as well as refugees and host communities in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement.

A few weeks ago, the Kiteezi community was devastated by a tragic dumpsite slide, which left over 1,000 families affected, nearly 40 people dead, and many others injured or missing.

In addition to this disaster, Uganda has seen a surge in new refugee arrivals in 2024, primarily from Sudan, with many being resettled in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement.

The settlement currently hosts 119,103 refugees and members of the host community.

On Saturday, Fresh Dairy, a producer of homogenized and pasteurized dairy products, donated the milk powder to these vulnerable communities.

“As a family brand, we believe in standing with vulnerable communities in need. We have donated Fresh Dairy milk powder worth Shs 2.2 billion to Uganda Red Cross Society to enhance the health and nutrition of both the Kiteezi garbage slide survivors and the refugees and families in the Kiryandongo settlement,” said Vincent Omoth, Marketing Manager at Fresh Dairy.

Speaking at the Fresh Dairy offices in the Industrial Area, Dr. Naphtal Baguma, Director of Supply Chain and Estates Management at Uganda Red Cross Society, praised the company for its generous donation.

“Uganda Red Cross Society plays an auxiliary role to the government of Uganda and has a mandate to save lives, especially during emergencies. We are currently handling the Kiteezi garbage slide situation and have set up temporary mobile shelters for the over 1,000 displaced families. We are also providing psychosocial support, relief aid, and other services,” Dr. Baguma stated.

He added, “Since early this year, URCS has also set up mobile shelters and a mobile clinic in response to the refugee influx from Sudan, which totals up to 119,103 individuals in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement. We thank Fresh Dairy for the milk powder donation, which will be distributed to both the Kiteezi and Kiryandongo families, with a focus on mothers and children.”

Dr. Baguma called on more partners to support humanitarian emergencies, emphasizing that saving lives requires a multi-sectoral approach.