Statement by UN Resident Coordinator at Press Conference announcing Japan contribution of US$ 9.8 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities, border security as well as COVID-19 response in Uganda

Acknowledgements:

The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Honourable Hilary Onek

The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Fukuzawa Hidemoto

The Country Representative of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Mr. Jason Yauney

UN Country Team Members

Media Representatives

On behalf of the UN Family in Uganda, I am very pleased to witness yet another important announcement of a contribution from the Government of Japan to Uganda as part of a long-standing  partnership for sustainable development and transformation. Japan is a critical partner for the Government of Uganda and the United Nations.  The contribution announced today of US$ 9.8 million from the Government of Japan will support refugee and host communities, border security as well as the COVID-19 response in Uganda.

I would like to applaud the government and people of Japan for this valuable contribution to the global efforts in the fight against COVID-19 as well as to the advancement of the human security in Uganda. We are aware that the fight against COVID-19 in Japan is at the critical moment. In times of the pandemic the support from Japan is critical for vulnerable communities in Uganda such as women and children refugees to address challenges in areas of livelihoods, nutrition, health and food security that have been negatively affected by the social and economic consequences of COVID-19. We would like to express sincere sympathy to those affected by the virus in Japan and thank you for extending your support at such a critical time. Japan’s sustained investment in Uganda’s future generations speaks to its global leadership on sustainable development and its long-standing partnership with Uganda, and Africa. In fact, Japan’s longstanding contribution to the development of Africa can be seen in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) meetings in partnership with the United Nations. The next TICAD 8 will be held in Tunisia in 2022.

The current support from Japan is making a difference, an example is that it enabled us to sustain throughout 2020 essential health services uninterrupted in Bidibidi, Africa’s largest refugee settlement, mitigating the risks and impact of COVID-19.

Today’s contribution from Japan will enable the UN system, technically led by UNHCR, including UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, IOM and WFP to collectively support 1.4 million refugees in settlements in South-Western and Northern Uganda for the next 12 months. Allow me to mention a few areas this assistance will focus on:

UNHCR will support provision of minimum health care, protection services in several settlements in northern Uganda and promotion of livelihood opportunities for refugee and host communities through rice promotion.

UNFPA will support strengthening of Health Centers in refugee hosting districts and support community demand to reduce maternal mortality among refugees and host communities.

UNICEF plans to reach 1,863,460 beneficiaries by playing a key role in the COVID-19 response, including risk communication action in three refugee hosting districts and the COVID-19 high-risk districts of Karamoja sub-region.

WFP will provide fresh-food vouchers to cover critical food needs of pregnant and nursing women and children aged 6-23 months while promoting social behavioural change. In addition, they will provide seed vouchers to promote the production of fast-maturing nutritious foods.

UNDP will bridge the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus by providing green livelihoods options for resilience-building for refugees and host communities with a focus on women and youth.

UN Women will support to women farmers to engage in Climate Smart Agriculture; women and youth to increase access to second chance education livelihood initiatives; access to ICT facilities and equipment, digitalised Village Savings and Loan Associations and cash for work opportunities. 

IOM will contribute to strengthening border management to mitigate risk of terrorism from land and maritime borders in the context of COVID-19 in Uganda.

As I conclude and we embark on the implementation of our UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Uganda for 2021-2025 closely aligned to the NDP III and Uganda Vision 2040, we remain committed to leveraging new partnerships in the spirit of the UN reform to work with the people and Governments of Uganda and all other Member States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Together we can ensure the new normal is a pathway to achieving the national Vision 2040, the African Union Vision 2063 and the 2030 Agenda pledge to leave no one behind.

Thank you