1,000 refugees troop into Uganda weekly
by John Vianney Nsimbe · The ObserverUntil the outbreak of civil war in April last year, Sudan was largely known as a peaceful country. However, the conflict has forced thousands of natives to flee, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
Since December 2023, an estimated 1,000 Sudanese refugees have been arriving in Uganda each week, escaping the violence and instability in their homeland.
These refugees have found safety and shelter at the Kiryandongo refugee settlement, located in northwestern Uganda’s Kiryandongo district, far removed from the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Many of them have undertaken a grueling 2,000-kilometer journey from the capital, Khartoum, making their relocation both physically and emotionally exhausting.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in collaboration with the Uganda Refugee and Disaster Management Council, plays a critical role in resettling these individuals at Kiryandongo. Though the process of integrating them into Ugandan society is intricate, it is vital to restoring hope and providing a sense of security to those who have endured unimaginable hardship.
Upon arrival at the Kiryandongo settlement, the refugees are welcomed at the reception center. Caroline Amoit, a representative of the Uganda Refugee and Disaster Management Council, explained the steps taken to ensure safety: “All newly arriving refugees go through a security screening to ensure they do not possess any objects that could endanger the lives of others.”
Following the security checks, refugees also undergo thorough health screenings to detect any underlying health conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes, and to identify and treat any highly infectious diseases like cholera, Covid-19, or measles, especially in children.
These procedures help safeguard the health and wellbeing of the refugees and the host communities. As the resettlement process unfolds, the priority remains on ensuring the safety, health, and smooth integration of refugees into Ugandan society, providing them with much-needed stability in the face of the ongoing conflict back home.
Caroline Anena, a medical clinic officer with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), explained that their primary responsibility for refugees is to provide essential healthcare services. This includes conducting laboratory tests, pre-natal and post-natal checks, and administering vaccinations for measles and polio to children between six months and 14 years old.
Additionally, girls under the age of 12 receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect against cervical cancer. Once these medical assessments are completed, refugees undergo a manual registration process. This process involves a head count of each family and an evaluation of specific needs, such as chronic diseases, age distinctions, and gender.
The registration also helps identify vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, and those with particular medical requirements. After this, each individual is issued a meal card to ensure access to food. Cliff Winston Alvarico, UNHCR’s head of Field Office, emphasized the importance of this registration process, noting that it helps tailor service provision to the specific needs of each refugee.
“The manual registration enables us to understand the needs of every individual,” Alvarico explained.
This allows for better tracking and delivery of essential services. The displacement caused by the Sudanese civil war has severely disrupted the healthcare of many refugees, including those in urgent need of medication for chronic conditions like diabetes.
With the detailed household information gathered during registration, UNHCR and its partners can implement measures to ensure refugees receive the necessary care, including support for unaccompanied children or those separated from their families.
Additionally, the settlement offers psycho-social support to address the mental health challenges refugees face, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychiatric clinical officers are available to provide treatment to those affected by the trauma of war.
Malnutrition and starvation—common issues during conflicts—are also addressed through these comprehensive support measures, ensuring refugees have access to both food and healthcare as they rebuild their lives in a new environment.
Upon completing the manual registration process, refugees at the Kiryandongo settlement receive a meal card, allowing them access to food during their initial three to five days at the reception center. The registration process, overseen by the Office of the Prime Minister, also provides each household with a refugee attestation card for identification, ensuring the correct allocation of services and aid.