Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-26 04:04:47
Japan has made a generous donation to support refugees in Uganda, providing 2,000 metric tons of rice valued at $2.2 million. The rice donation, received by the World Food Programme (WFP), will enable the provision of essential hot meals to 50,000 newly arrived refugees throughout the 2024/2025 period.
Uganda has seen a significant influx of refugees, with 130,000 individuals arriving in 2023 alone. The country currently hosts 1.5 million refugees, the highest number in any African nation. Many of these refugees are fleeing conflicts in countries such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and Sudan, often enduring difficult journeys to seek safety.
The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Fukazawa Hidemoto, emphasized the importance of targeting newly arrived refugees who face acute vulnerability and challenges in the aftermath of fleeing crisis situations. He noted that Japan’s contribution aligns with their commitment to providing humanitarian support to Uganda during a period marked by a surge in refugee arrivals and concurrent crises.
Despite Uganda’s progressive refugee policy aimed at offering sanctuary and support to those in need, refugees in the country encounter limited livelihood opportunities, necessitating ongoing reliance on humanitarian aid. The representative of WFP Uganda, Abdirahman Meygag, commended Japan’s timely donation, highlighting its critical role in sustaining WFP’s efforts to provide vital food assistance to refugees amidst ongoing conflict.
Meygag stressed the importance of hot meals for newly arrived refugees, not only as sustenance but also as a symbol of the beginning of recovery and hope as they strive to rebuild their lives. Currently, WFP supports 1.4 million out of Uganda’s 1.5 million refugees with monthly food and cash assistance. However, the organization faces a widening gap between humanitarian needs and available funding.
To address these challenges, WFP has prioritized assistance for the most vulnerable refugees, with varying levels of food aid provided based on household vulnerability assessments. New arrivals receive a full food ration for the initial three months to support their settlement process. In 2024, WFP in Uganda requires $134 million to meet the needs of refugee assistance.
In conclusion, Japan’s donation of rice to support refugees in Uganda is a significant contribution that will help alleviate food insecurity and provide much-needed assistance to those in need. The collaboration between Japan, WFP, and other stakeholders underscores the importance of international support in addressing the refugee crisis in Uganda.
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