Australia’s largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), World Vision, announced a new partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation, the philanthropic foundation founded by Australian businesswoman and philanthropist Judith Neilson. 

World Vision has secured $750,000 of funding from the Judith Neilson Foundation, supplementing more than $ 3.5 million of funding being contributed to the project by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). This new funding will enable World Vision to scale its Health and Nutrition for All (HANA) program supporting vulnerable children and women in Uganda. 

In Uganda, women, people with disabilities and children face significant barriers to accessing quality and inclusive health and nutrition services. Northern Uganda has a particularly high prevalence of severely malnourished children under five (4.8 per cent) and 83 per cent of the country’s population (38 million people) are without access to reliable, safe drinking water. 

The HANA Uganda project partners with communities across Northern Uganda’s Oyam, Omoro and Pader districts to deliver life-changing healthcare and services for Northern Uganda’s most vulnerable children and women, especially people with disability. 

Judith Neilson, founder of the Judith Neilson Foundation, welcomed the partnership with World Vision to strengthen maternal and child health care in Uganda. 

“Investing in women’s access to quality health care, clean water, and nutrition is not just a matter of equity, it’s a catalyst for change.” 

“By ensuring these critical services reach the most vulnerable in Uganda, World Vision is uplifting women and paving the way for a future where everyone can thrive.” 

Upenyu Mawande, Head of Africa Programs for the Judith Neilson Foundation highlighted that their partnership with World Vision, together with the Australian Government, is focused on the health and resilience of women and children in communities that are most vulnerable, particularly in Northern Uganda. 

“Working alongside the Ugandan Ministry of Health and local health providers, we aim to drastically reduce preventable diseases and malnutrition through integrated health and nutrition services, while also supporting people with disabilities.” 

Daniel Wordsworth, CEO at World Vision Australia enthused how World Vision is grateful for Judith Neilson Foundation’s generosity and trust. 

“We applaud Judith and the Foundation’s board for her long-term vision and commitment to give priority to communities that are most vulnerable.” 

“We’re also thankful for the support from the Australian Government, through ANCP funding, for our HANA Uganda program, which ensures sustainable health outcomes in communities and is helping change the lives of women and children in Northern Uganda.” 

Aligned with World Vision Uganda’s 2020-2025 strategy, the overall goal of the HANA project is to end preventable illness, impairment, and death among 109,839 adults, young people, and children under five in Oyam, Omoro and Pader districts by 2025. 

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