According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) Uganda, Africa’ s largest refugee host, provides refuge to over 1.5 million people. Most refugees come from South Sudan (57%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (32%), Somalia (3%), and Burundi (3%).
UNHCR
The United Nations Women in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, has provided humanitarian aid to refugees in Kiryandongo District, to support them during the month of Ramadhan.
The distribution of the donations took place at the Magaga food distribution center within the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
According to the UN Women Country Representative in Uganda, Paulina Chiwangu, this aid is directed towards more than 300 households comprising refugees and host communities. It includes essential food items such as rice, maize flour, wheat, sugar, and others vital for daily sustenance.
“I appreciate the United Arab Emirates for providing these food Items, they have provided over 20,000 boxes of food which we have started distributing, but they will continue distributing in the days to come,” Chiwangu stated.
Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, Uganda’s Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan, conveyed that the assistance originated from the government of the United Arab Emirates and was facilitated by the Ambassador of the UAE to Uganda, Abdullah Al-Shamsi, for distribution among the refugees.
“We thank His highness the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zaid, and also his royal highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zaid, the Deputy ruler of the United Arab Emirates and the mother who have contributed these big number of packages of food and we hope that the people in the camps shall benefit from it especially during this month of Ramadhan,” Ssemuddu said.
The majority of refugees residing in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement are Sudanese, hailing from both the southern and northern regions. Due to limited food supplies, many households within the camps subsist on just one meal per day. Compounded by the observance of Ramadhan, a significant portion of these refugees, being Muslims, face heightened challenges in sustaining themselves during this holy month.
Hajjat Sarah Kanyike, the Vice President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Uganda, highlighted that the provision of aid packages stemmed from a lobbying effort initiated by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce Uganda sought to secure much-needed assistance for the beneficiaries in the refugee community during this month of Ramadhan.
“Today we are looking at Ramadhan because 98% of these refugees are Muslims. During the fasting period, this aid is very important as far as their religion is concerned because they need something to eat while starting and breaking their fast,” Kanyike stated.
Nevertheless, Kanyike underscored the ongoing need for additional aid and disclosed that the Ugandan government is actively engaging various agencies to collectively address the pressing humanitarian crisis faced by refugees in the country.
“When you look at African countries, you cannot say you have enough. As government we are providing what we can and trying as much as possible to bring on board other partners in development to assist us,” she emphasized.
According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) Uganda, Africa’ s largest refugee host, provides refuge to over 1.5 million people. Most refugees come from South Sudan (57%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (32%), Somalia (3%), and Burundi (3%).
A prominent obstacle lies in the dwindling funds allocated for humanitarian assistance, impacting the delivery of vital life-saving aid such as food rations, essential relief packages for newly arrived individuals, hygiene kits, medicines, and initiatives promoting self-reliance.
Encouraging self-reliance among refugees necessitates a boost in economic opportunities and livelihood support. While strides are made to enhance the precision of humanitarian aid distribution, it is imperative to sustain resources for critical services such as healthcare, education, and water supply in areas accommodating refugees.