Efforts to rescue vulnerable women and children in Uganda from the ravaging effects of ongoing El Niño torrents received a £1 million ($1.5 million) boost from Britain.

Central and northern parts of Uganda have especially experienced massive flooding and landslides, putting families at risk of death and diseases such as cholera, malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid.

The fund will be used to support preparedness to “reduce the damaging impact of the heavy rains on children in many parts of the country,” Unicef top official in Uganda, Mrs Aida Girma, said.

Among items to be purchased include water purification tablets, storage and hand-washing tanks, anti-malarial medication, vaccines, and treated mosquito nets in an effort to prevent waterborne diseases.

Unicef working with Uganda’s line ministries will spearhead the efforts.

Earlier this year, central Uganda districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono experienced a typhoid outbreak that nearly 5,000 cases reported with 14 fatalities. The disease is caused by eating or drinking contaminated foods and beverages.

READ: Costs rising over typhoid outbreak in Uganda

Access to clean and safe water in Uganda stands at 77 per cent, while proper sanitation coverage falls below 50 per cent for the entire country, meaning big sections of the 37.5 million population are vulnerable and exposed to risks of infections during rainy seasons.

Between April and July, northern Uganda registered malaria outbreak that was attributed to the surge in infectious mosquitoes due to the rainy season then.

Weather experts say the current heavy rains are likely to continue until January.

The money is Uganda’s share of a £27 million ($40.5 million) fund that is also set to benefit Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.