Responding to a refugee crisis in northern Uganda - Situation Report 14

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

World Vision continues to respond to a massive refugee crisis in the West Nile region of Uganda. More than 370,000 refugees were reached with food and cash assistance from 11 August to  01 September 2017. Additionally, more than 15,000 children attended World Vision's child friendly spaces. 

Still, the work continues. The need is overwhelming. World Vision is drawing attention to the following issues: 

  • Uganda currently hosts over 1 million South Sudanese refugees in the West Nile region. The refugees are fleeing from conflict, drought and hunger. More South Sudanese people will continue to flee until the root causes of the conflict are addressed. An inclusive and sustainable solution is the only way forward to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan.

  • Children’s crisis: On average about 650 refugees arrive in Uganda per day, the majority who are children. In recent weeks, 63 per cent of all new arrivals are below the age of 18. Many children have witnessed violence in their homelands and the conflict they are escaping is forcing many to arrive without the accompaniment of an adult, separated from their families or with special needs. To help children adjust to life in Uganda, community based child protection systems and safety structures needs to be strengthened.

  • A city in the making: The most recent refugee settlement opened at the beginning of August and already has more than 9,000 refugees. Refugee families are given land to clear and set up their homes Omugo. World Vision is the lead agency in reception centre management and food distribution. The organization is also a co-lead agency in child protection and is providing families with shelter, household and sanitary items. Still, as the numbers grow, more support is needed to ensure the needs of the new arrivals are adequately met.

  • Foster families need additional support: The foster families that compassionately take care of unaccompanied and separated children need further assistance to ensure they can adequately take care of the children they look after. There is a need for families to have access to cash grants and economic development skills.

More information about the programmes World Vision is running to provide assistance to refugees and the number of people reached are available by downloading the Situation Report