Dembe Namono in Uganda
KAMPALA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has lauded a €1 million contribution from Germany, channeled through the Federal Foreign Office, to bolster critical support for over 254,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda.
The funding will provide life-saving food assistance for newly arrived refugees and the most vulnerable among the displaced population.
It will also enhance self-reliance initiatives such as farming and other income-generating activities, particularly targeting those categorized as less vulnerable.
“Refugee numbers in Uganda have nearly tripled over the past decade, straining scarce humanitarian resources,” noted Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director in Uganda. “This funding will help WFP address the immediate needs of new arrivals and promote sustainable livelihoods for those living through protracted crises.”
Uganda, widely praised for its progressive refugee policies, currently hosts 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nation.
This figure has soared from 600,000 in 2014, with the influx largely driven by relentless conflicts and climate shocks in neighboring nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and, more recently, Sudan.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 135,000 refugees have entered Uganda since the start of 2024 alone, underscoring the pressing need for additional resources.
The WFP, operating in coordination with Uganda’s government and international partners, supports 1.4 million refugees with food assistance.
This aid is delivered either as cash transfers or in-kind food supplies, calibrated to meet the needs of varying vulnerability levels. Newly arrived refugees are provided with a full ration for the initial three months.
Thereafter, support adjusts to a 60 percent ration for the most vulnerable and a 30 percent ration for those categorized as moderately vulnerable.
Beyond immediate relief, the WFP assists 52,000 refugees and Ugandan nationals with livelihood enhancement projects. These initiatives, including farming and vocational training, are designed to foster resilience and reduce dependence on external aid.
Germany’s contribution arrives at a crucial time when humanitarian agencies are grappling with funding shortfalls.
Despite Uganda’s generosity in hosting refugees, resources are increasingly overstretched, highlighting the need for sustained international support.
The WFP has emphasized that long-term investments in sustainable livelihoods are essential to reduce aid dependency among refugee populations and host communities.
“The solution lies not only in meeting immediate needs but in building the capacity for self-reliance,” Meygag added.
As the global refugee crisis deepens, the partnership between Uganda, international donors, and humanitarian agencies remains pivotal in ensuring the well-being of millions displaced by conflict and climate change.
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