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The Government has issued a pressing call for heightened funding from the international community to address the escalating demand for refugee assistance, emphasizing the strain it places on the country’s resources. Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees Hillary Onek revealed that Uganda currently shelters over 1.6 million refugees, with significant numbers arriving daily, primarily from conflict-ridden nations such as South Sudan, DR Congo, Somalia, Eritrea, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Minister Onek stressed that Uganda faces an overwhelming influx of nearly 90,000 to 100,000 refugees every month, exacerbating the strain on its limited resources. The United Nations estimates that Uganda spends between $800 million and $1.2 billion annually on refugee care, a substantial burden for a nation with economic constraints. Consequently, Minister Onek urged the international community to increase funding to support those fleeing conflict.
The minister’s plea came during a significant event on February 28, 2024, where he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the government of Japan and the World Food Program (WFP). Japanese Ambassador to Uganda Hidemoto Fukuzawa handed over 2,000 metric tons of rice valued at approximately $2.2 million (JPY300 million) to WFP, aimed at providing essential meals to refugees in transit and at various refugee centers in West Nile and southwestern Uganda.
Commending WFP’s response to his request, Minister Onek noted the organization’s initiative to purchase food from local suppliers. He highlighted WFP’s previous procurement of 75,000 tons of maize and beans from local sources to feed refugees, along with distributing $5 million in cash assistance to refugee welfare. This injection of funds not only supports refugee sustenance but also stimulates the local economy as refugees utilize cash aid for purchasing food and services.
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Despite Uganda’s robust efforts in hosting refugees, Minister Onek emphasized the significant financial burden borne by the country, including providing security to refugees, especially those pursued by their home country authorities. Additionally, the government allocates land for refugee cultivation, supports education and healthcare services, and facilitates behavioral transformation to address any perpetuated violence among refugees.
Attributing conflicts in various nations to external forces, Minister Onek urged developed countries to fulfill their obligations in supporting refugee welfare, lamenting the unequal attention and aid distribution, exemplified by the disparity between aid to Africa and Ukraine. He warned that without increased international support, Uganda might reconsider its refugee policies, potentially adopting a more stringent stance detrimental to global refugee assistance efforts.
Expressing gratitude to Japan for consistent refugee aid, Minister Onek emphasized the urgency of addressing hunger among refugees to prevent food-related conflicts with host communities and protect vulnerable refugee populations, particularly women and girls. Japanese Ambassador Fukuzawa echoed these concerns, noting the exponential rise in worldwide refugees, coupled with escalating food prices due to global conflicts.
Reiterating the need for collective action, Marcus Prior of WFP underscored Japan’s crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance, urging broader international cooperation to alleviate refugee suffering and safeguard their future. He emphasized that Uganda cannot address this challenge alone and implored the international community to intensify support for refugee aid initiatives.
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