The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently received a generous contribution of EUR1 million from Germany through the Federal Foreign Office. This funding will be instrumental in supporting nutrition and income-generating activities for over 254,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda.
With the refugee population in Uganda nearly tripling over the past decade, humanitarian resources have been stretched thin. The contribution from Germany will allow WFP to provide essential food assistance to new arrivals and the most vulnerable refugees. Additionally, it will support self-reliance activities, such as farming, for those deemed less vulnerable.
Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director in Uganda, emphasized the importance of this funding in addressing the immediate needs of new arrivals and promoting sustainable livelihoods for those enduring protracted crises. Uganda currently hosts 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, a significant increase from 600,000 in 2014. The influx of refugees, estimated at 135,000 since the beginning of the year, is primarily attributed to conflicts and climate-related shocks in neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.
WFP’s assistance in Uganda includes providing food aid to 1.4 million refugees in the form of cash and in-kind support. The most vulnerable refugees receive 60 percent of a full ration, while moderately vulnerable individuals receive 30 percent. New arrivals are given a full ration for the first three months. Moreover, WFP facilitates livelihood strengthening activities for 52,000 refugees and Ugandan nationals, supporting their transition to self-reliance.
The contribution from Germany underscores the critical role of international partnerships in addressing the humanitarian needs of displaced populations. By working together, organizations like WFP can make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, offering them hope for a better future.
This article was originally distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
