A severe funding crisis at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has led to a complete cut-off of vital food supplies to nearly one million refugees in Uganda this week, worsening the already dire situation for refugees and raising concerns that some could be sent back to their war-torn countries.
Critical Funding Shortage Hits Refugees
WFP officials in Uganda said two weeks ago that $50 million in urgent funding was needed to help refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. But the lack of response to that call has led to food aid being cut. Uganda is home to the largest refugee population on the African continent, with 60 new arrivals in the last three months, and a total of 1,8 million refugees. The UN agency warns that malnutrition rates in the country are reaching critical levels. In March, WFP began distributing food supplies to newly arrived refugees in the East African country, reducing overall food aid due to lack of resources.
Protest Voices Rising from Refugees
The complete halt in food aid has caused widespread unrest among refugees. Gathering outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kakuma, Kenya, refugees have called for urgent intervention, drawing attention to the severe shortage of food, clean water and basic necessities. There have even been reports of some refugees in Kakuma camp clashing with police over the disruption of their food supplies. These incidents highlight the desperate situation and increasing tensions among refugees.
Decline in International Aid Raises Concerns
Ugandan Refugee Minister Hillary Onek said that this tragic situation is a direct result of radical aid cuts implemented by international donors, primarily the US and European countries. In particular, former US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze US foreign aid spending in January and the UK’s subsequent reduction of its aid budget from 0,58% of gross national income to 0,3% the following month have had a serious negative impact on Uganda’s capacity to provide aid to refugees. With the cut in food aid, the future of refugees in Uganda is uncertain, and concerns are growing that some refugees may be forced to return to their dangerous war-torn countries as they struggle to survive. It is of utmost importance that the international community find an urgent solution to this crisis in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
