By THE OBSERVER UG
Japan has donated 2,000 metric tons of rice valued at $2.2 million to refugees in Uganda. The donation, received by the World Food Programme (WFP), will facilitate the provision of essential hot meals to 50,000 newly arrived refugees during the 2024/2025 period.
Uganda currently hosts 1.5 million refugees, the highest number in any African nation, with 130,000 refugees having arrived in 2023 alone. The majority of these refugees are escaping conflicts in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and Sudan, often undertaking challenging journeys to reach safety.
Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Fukazawa Hidemoto, highlighted the significance of targeting newly arrived refugees, acknowledging their acute vulnerability and challenges in the immediate aftermath of fleeing crisis situations. He emphasized that Japan’s contribution aligns with its commitment to extending humanitarian support to Uganda during a period marked by a surge in refugee arrivals and concurrent crises.
Despite Uganda’s progressive refugee policy, refugees still face limited livelihood opportunities, necessitating continued reliance on humanitarian aid. Abdirahman Meygag, WFP Uganda’s representative, praised Japan’s timely contribution, emphasizing its crucial role in sustaining WFP’s efforts to provide vital food assistance to refugees amidst ongoing conflict.
Meygag highlighted the significance of hot meals for newly arrived refugees, symbolizing not only sustenance but also the beginning of recovery and hope as they embark on the journey to rebuild their lives.
With WFP currently supporting 1.4 million out of Uganda’s 1.5 million refugees with monthly food and cash assistance, the organization faces a widening gap between humanitarian needs and available funding. WFP has been compelled to prioritize assistance for the most vulnerable refugees, with varying levels of food assistance based on vulnerability levels.
In light of growing humanitarian needs, WFP in Uganda requires $134 million to cater to refugee assistance in 2024.
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