Humanitarian workers providing lifeline to Refugees in Uganda

On 19 August 2025, the world marks World Humanitarian Day, celebrating the dedication of those who work tirelessly to save lives and protect dignity in times of crisis. In Uganda, this day carries a special meaning: with over 1.9 million refugees currently hosted, Uganda remains the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, embodying an open-door policy that provides safety and opportunities for those fleeing conflict and disasters in neighbouring countries.

Uganda’s approach stands out globally. Refugees are granted freedom of movement, access to services, and opportunities for livelihoods. This inclusive policy strengthens cohesion with host communities and demonstrates a progressive vision of refugee integration. The significance of this approach became even clearer in 2025, when over 124,000 new refugees arrived between January and July alone – mainly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (56%, with 70,000 Congolese crossed into Uganda seeking safety), South Sudan (27%), and Sudan (15%). 

The humanitarian response in Uganda is grounded in close collaboration between the Government, the United Nations, humanitarian organisations, and local communities. A tangible milestone is the inclusion of refugees in the upcoming National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), a testament to years of UN and partners’ advocacy and the Government’s strong commitment to ensuring that refugees and host communities are part of national development strategies. This achievement, secured through engagement in platforms such as the National Partnership Forum, aligns fully with the UN  Common Pledge 2.0, and stands as a model of resilience and inclusivity recognized internationally.

Remarkable interventions– from food assistance to psychosocial support, from clean water access to livelihood programmes – are being realized despite unprecedented shrinking humanitarian funding worldwide. The exceptional scale of the influx, combined with global funding shortfalls, has placed significant pressure on already stretched services. Food rations have fallen below US$ 8 per person per month, while supplies to fight malnutrition remain insufficient. The impact is felt most acutely by the most vulnerable: over half of all new arrivals are children, many arriving malnourished and deeply traumatized. Many refugees arrive in extreme conditions, facing risks of malnutrition, gender-based violence, and loss of livelihoods. 

Yet even as funding declines, commitment is deepening. Stronger UN collaboration and closer integration into national systems are helping reduce reliance on humanitarian aid while improving long-term outcomes. A clear example of positive impact is the Inter-Agency Appeal launched in April 2025 to address the DRC influx, as well as the US$ 2.5 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). 

The support provided by CERF is enabling UNHCR, WFP, and UNICEF to provide rapid life-saving assistance, addressing needs and improving living conditions and social cohesion for over 42,000 new arrivals at Nyakabande, Matanda, and Kabazana. Over the past three months, health services in the targeted centres reached 4,600 new arrivals with screening, vaccinations, malaria treatment and consultations, and a measles campaign achieved 91% coverage. In response to gender-based violence, 237 survivors were documented and supported with dignity kits, including 80 who received sexual and reproductive health services. A total of 60 emergency deliveries were safely conducted. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and shelter interventions in the targeted centres strengthened water supply, sanitation, lighting, waste disposal and site management, enhancing safety and public health. 

Nutrition screening in these centres exceeded targets (3,711 screened vs. 2,000 planned) and treatment was provided to 100% of children with severe wasting. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admissions have declined to a total of 612 cases, although global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates remain above the emergency threshold. Targeted and Blanket Feeding Programmes helped mitigating malnutrition risks for over 4,000 children and 870 mothers, while hot meals and high-energy biscuits covered immediate needs. 

Gisele, a 25-year-old refugee from DRC who arrived in Uganda with her husband and two daughters, recalled her experience upon receiving support from WFP: “During the war, we were persecuted and encountered armed men who broke into our homes and raped us. When we arrived here (Nyakabande reception centre) they gave us a warm welcome. WFP seeing how our children were exhausted and hungry, they brought biscuits to boost their energy. We received biscuits and ate them. We felt well in our stomachs and gained energy to walk.” These words, disarming in their simplicity, lay bare the depth and essential nature of the beneficiaries’ needs, highlighting the importance of every intervention carried out for those arriving extremely exhausted, traumatized, and hungry in Uganda.

Other UN agencies, including UNFPA, IOM, FAO, and UN Women, are providing life-saving assistance across sectors, from protection to food security, health, and livelihoods. Contributions from donors as Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Switzerland, Austria, the European Union, the Netherlands, Italy, and Ireland, have been vital in sustaining emergency activities.

On this World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to humanitarian workers who, in particularly challenging conditions, bring assistance and dignity to those most in need. But above all, we celebrate the resilience of refugees and host communities in Uganda, who remind us that humanity transcends borders. Even in the face of constrained resources, Uganda’s example shows what is possible when governments, communities, and international partners work together: a response rooted not only in survival, but in dignity, inclusion, self-reliance, and hope for the future.