Uganda has one of the most favorable refugee protection environments in the world
Uganda is now home to more than 495,000 refugees from South Sudan, according to the UNHCR. Since July 2016, Uganda receives not less than 2500 refugees daily. Adjumani and Arua districts both have 17 refugee settlements each, Koboko has 8 while Yumbe has 4.
Uganda has one of the most favorable refugee protection environments in the world; providing for freedom of movement, right to work and also providing land for refugee settlements in line with the Refugee Act of 2006. In areas where land is not gazetted for refugees, the Office of the Prime Minister, Refugee Department (OPM) negotiates with the local communities to acquire land for usage by refugees.
World Vision Uganda is responding to the South Sudan refugee crisis in 4 districts of Yumbe, Adjumani, Arua and Koboko. Of the 4 districts, Yumbe has the highest number of S.Sudanese refugees currently standing at 174,099, followed by Adjumani with 147,417, Arua 39,747 and Koboko with1,439. On average, Yumbe is receiving 2000 new arrivals daily.
In Yumbe, World Vision is providing hot meals to new arrivals, distributing dry food rations and core relief items, implenting an inclusive WASH programme plus responding in child Protection (case management and identification of separated/unaccompanied minors). In Adjumani, Arua and Koboko, World Vision is providing high-energy biscuits to new arrivals, dry food rations, operating 6 child friendly spaces, providing early childhood development, psycho-social support and inclusive WASH(bore halls, latrines, sanitation)
Food
World Vision is managing food stocks worth USD$19M from WFP. This includes: high-energy biscuits being distributed to all new arrivals crossing into Uganda. This is being done at all Uganda-S.Sudan border points of Oraba, Busia informal point, Elegu and Payorinya in Koboko, Adjumani and Moyo districts respectively. World Vision is also providing hot meals comprising of maize meal and beans to all new arrivals in Yumbe, at the BidiBidi reception center. World Vision is able to serve more than 5000 refugees daily with hot meals in Yumbe. Hot meals are also being provided to refugeess outside the reception center, who have not yet been cleared for dry food rations. In Koboko, Arua and Adjumani districts, a 30 days dry ration of Pulses (Peas and Beans), Cereal (sorghum and Maize grain and Cornmeal), Corn Soya blend, salt, Vegetable oil is being provided to all refugees while Yumbe is giving a 15 days dry ration of the same.
Distribution of Core Relief Items
UNHCR, through World Vision, is distributing non-food items likes blankets, mats, jerrycans, basins, tarpaulines, construction poles, nails, mosquito nets, solar lamps, kitchen sets among other items to the new arrivals. All new arrivals are currently spending one night at the reception centre in Bidibidi, after which they are moved to the settlements. At the settlements, each refugee is allocated a plot of land measuring up to 30 by 30 meters where they establish homesteads and small gardens. Separated/ unaccompanied minors are made to stay with their foster parents on extended plots.
Child Protection:
(Child friendly spaces, case management, Identification and registration of Unaccompanied and Separated children)
World Vision is managing 6 Child friendly spaces and early childhood development centres in Adjumani, in 4 settlements of Maaji, Pagirinya, Nyumanzi and Ayilo I. More than 9116 children have been registered since February 2016 with an average weekly attendance of 2870 refugees and Nationals of 173.
In Yumbe, World Vision is set to open up 7 Child friendly spaces, fully equiped with early child hood development classes. Currently World Vision is handling case identifaction and management of separated children/ un accompanied minors. This involves setting up foster cares mechanisms for all unaccompanied minors, tracing relatives/ family members for all separated children plus reffering child protection cases to respective partners.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: WASH
In Yumbe, World Vision is constructing temporary communal bathroom and toilet shelters for new arrivals. So far 134 shelters have been constructed, all fitted with hand washing facilities. 5 bore halls are also set to be constructed by World Vision.
In Adjumani, Koboko and Arua, World Vision is rolling out an inclusive WASH program comprising of constructing bore halls, permanent communal toilets, provision of incinerators, building latrines for people with special needs, promotion of hygiene and sanitation plus giving assistive devices to people with special needs. Promotion of hand washing using soap is cross cutting in all our WASH interventions.
Moses Mukitale is the Communications Officer for World Vision Uganda
