EU announces Shs 153 billion in humanitarian aid to Uganda, Kenya

The European Union last week released €34 million (Shs 153 billion) in humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable populations in Uganda and Kenya, with a special focus on displaced populations in both countries.

Christos Stylianides, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said Kenya and Uganda are among Africa's major hosts of refugees, with millions urgently needing assistance.

"The EU stands in solidarity and is committed to support the most vulnerable refugees. Our new funding will help both those already displaced and the new arrivals into Kenya and Uganda," he said.

Out of the funding announced, Shs 108 billion (€24 million) will go to Uganda, the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa.

The assistance will prioritise emergency situations and new arrivals among displaced populations, with a special focus on the many refugees from South Sudan and the increasing influx of Congolese refugees.

EU said it will provide emergency health and food assistance, water and sanitation, as well as protection and education in emergencies through accelerated learning programmes for children whose education has been disrupted by conflict and displacement.

With nearly 1.5 million refugees (mostly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo), Uganda is the largest recipient refugee country in Africa. Refugees in Uganda are free to move and work and are entitled to land to build a home on and grow food.

However, Uganda's progressive refugee policy is under increasing pressure due to the scale of the crisis, and services are overstretched while available land is dwindling.

EU announced that Shs 45 billion (€10 million) in emergency assistance will go to Kenya to support refugees living in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, providing protection to the most vulnerable, as well as granting access to quality primary education.