Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-15 04:53:54
The US government has shown its commitment to humanitarian assistance by allocating more than $25 million towards refugee and food security assistance to Uganda. This aid is being channelled through USAID, the foreign development agency, and the Department of State. Additional funding is also being provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Program (WFP) to support refugees in Uganda who are facing ongoing food insecurity and the impacts of regional conflicts.
According to Jessica Jennings, a spokesperson for USAID, $11 million is being provided to WFP, while the Department of State is contributing over $14 million to UNHCR. This funding will help in providing life-saving monthly food assistance, healthcare, education, and other emergency relief to the more than 1.6 million refugees hosted by Uganda. The country has seen a significant increase in refugee influx in recent months, particularly from conflict-affected areas like South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Sudan.
The US government is urging other countries to also increase their humanitarian assistance to support Uganda in these critical areas. Despite concerns over human rights issues, including the impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda, the US remains committed to providing aid without discrimination. The reduction in aid funding, however, has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises such as the war in Ukraine.
The European Union (EU) has also scaled back its humanitarian aid budget for Uganda, with a decrease from €30.5 million to €27.5 million for 2024. This reduction reflects a broader trend of funding gaps in humanitarian operations worldwide. Bruno Rotival, Head of Uganda at the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department, highlighted the challenges of balancing aid distribution in more stable countries like Uganda compared to acute crises.
Despite efforts to transition from humanitarian aid to development cooperation in Uganda, external factors such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict have complicated these plans. The EU had to cut its overall humanitarian budget by 20%, impacting aid allocations to countries like Uganda. Rotival emphasized the need for continued support to address the evolving needs of refugees and vulnerable populations in Uganda.
In conclusion, the US and EU’s ongoing commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Uganda underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global crises. As Uganda continues to host a large refugee population, it is crucial for donor countries to maintain their support and adapt to changing circumstances to ensure the well-being of those in need.
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