Obongi District leaders today visited Palorinya Refugee Settlement Base Camp as refugee response operations continue to face significant funding shortfalls, raising concerns about the sustainability of essential services and humanitarian support for both refugees and host communities.
During the visit, the leaders held interactive discussions with officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugee leaders, and several implementing partners operating within the settlement.
The visit by Obongi County MP Hassan Kaps Fungaroo and Obongi District Woman MP Harriet Joyo was part of a two-day orientation programme at Palorinya Refugee Settlement. The legislators were accompanied by other political leaders and technical officers from the district.
Speaking during the engagement, Fungaroo said the visit was intended to help leaders gain a deeper understanding of the realities on the ground and make informed decisions.
"This visit will enable us to identify the challenges facing both host communities and refugees so that we can make informed decisions and advocate for appropriate interventions," Fungaroo said.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in addressing the growing needs within the settlement.
"Palorinya hosts more than 144,000 refugees. This requires government agencies, humanitarian organizations, development partners, and local leaders to work together to deliver effective services to both refugees and host communities," he added.
Palorinya Refugee Settlement, located in Palorinya and Itula sub-counties in Obongi District, hosts more than 144,000 refugees, most of whom are from South Sudan. The settlement is supported by 37 implementing partners, including OPM and various United Nations agencies.
Polyne Abina, the Refugee Desk Officer overseeing Adjumani, Obongi, and Lamwo districts under OPM, revealed that implementing partners are grappling with severe funding shortages.
"The refugee response is currently facing drastic funding shortfalls, which have affected several sectors, including road maintenance, environmental conservation, health services, and food assistance. Reduced funding has also contributed to cuts in food rations for refugees," Abina explained.
Paul Kenya, the UNHCR Head of Sub-Regional Office in Yumbe, said funding constraints have also affected the agency's operations, creating challenges in delivering support to refugees and host communities.
Despite the financial difficulties, Kenya noted that some development partners continue to receive direct donor support for development programmes in refugee-hosting districts across Uganda.
"Despite the challenges we are facing, we must remain resilient. Uganda's commitment to hosting refugees through its open-door policy has made it a model country globally," Kenya said.
Obongi District Woman MP Harriet Joyo stressed the importance of regular engagement between leaders and humanitarian actors to better understand prevailing challenges and advocate for solutions.
"As leaders, it is vital for us to understand what is happening within the humanitarian space and refugee settlements so that we can present these concerns before Parliament and push for improved service delivery," Joyo said.
The ongoing engagement is expected to provide legislators with firsthand information on the challenges affecting refugee operations and host communities, which they hope to use to influence policy discussions and resource allocation at the national level.
