Care international in Uganda with funding from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints has launched the Emergency food assistance and self reliance program in both Nakivale and Kiryandongo refugees settlements.
This project targets vulnerable new arrival refugee households and it seeks to address immediate food insecurity needs while laying foundation for long-term resilience and self-reliance amongst the refugee communities.
Uganda is estimated to be a home to over 1.9 million refugees, with Nakivale and Kiryandongo among the settlements that continue to receive new refugee arrivals from Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and others.
Upon arrival, many of these refugees fave persistent food insecurity and limited livelihood opportunities, challenges that have been further compounded by food ration cuts and funding gaps.
"Colleagues you will all agree with me that in the last few days we've had a number of new arrivals and they almost went without food and mainly in Nakivale settlement" Lenard Ahimbisibwe. Deputy CAO, Isingiro district.
Reports from the OPM indicate that new refugees are normally given Ush 24,000 and then reduced Ush 12,000 per head per month, money that can't sustain them considering the pressing needs within the settlement.
But as a way of providing a sigh of relief, Care international in Uganda with funding from the church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints have launched USD 1 million emergency food assistance and self-reliance project in Nakivale and Kiryandongo with an aim of addressing the refugee food insecurity needs.
"Every partner in the humanitarian space who is here understands where we're now. The funding cuts affected most of us. The refugee policies are there, the reality of funds and cuts in food rations are there and that is the reason as to why we're coming in to provide an immediate solutiin" Jane Kyokusiima. Ag. Programs director - CARE international in Uganda.
The target groups under this program include among others pregnant and lactating women, children below 5 years, the elderly, child headed families and persons with disabilities.
The project will provide food assistance to 2000 vulnerable new arrivals through a voucher system.
The project will also promote livelihoods and self-reliance initiatives to 900 vulnerable new arrival households through on and off farm skilling interventions in Nakivale.
"So Nakivale will have food assistance as well as self-reliance interventions while Kiryandongo shall only have food assistance simply because the latter(Kiryandongo) is a new settlement that we're getting into as CARE and we are trying to make headway through targeting the most needy". Godfrey Omony. Senior Initiative manager - CARE.
The one year project will benefit selected beneficiaries to create a pathway from dependence on humanitarian aid to sustainable self-reliance livelihoods and dignity.
"We really thank CARE for the support which they will render to our refugees. We also thank their donors the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints that when we cried the first time they came and supported us and they have come again". Justine Gonza. Assistant commandant, Nakivale refugee settlement.
"Unlike last year, this time they have also come with a component of "livelihood" Which we feel will enable our refugees to be self-reliant"