The government of Uganda has appealed to international partners for more funding to address the needs of refugees currently in Uganda.

Uganda is currently home to over 1.5 million refugees scattered in various resettlement centers.

Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, in a statement released on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to mark World Refugee Day, said the government of Uganda is committed to continue hosting refugees from around the world.

Minister Onek, who is also the chief guest during the ongoing celebration being held at Palabek Refugee Settlement Camp in Lamwo district, said there is an urgent need for additional funding to support Uganda’s interventions in resolving the needs of refugees.

According to Minister Onek, Uganda’s refugee response continues to face persistent challenges stemming from inadequate funding, which has affected crucial sectors for the well-being of refugees, including health, education, livelihoods, the environment, and food and nutrition.

Minister Onek said Uganda will continue to allocate land to each newly arrived refugee family in the settlement for cultivating crops to supplement their monthly food ration distributed by WFP.

He expressed disappointment about how the world is witnessing ongoing or resurfacing conflicts that continue to force people to flee their homes in search of safety adding that inclusiveness signifies that regardless of the duration of their stay in exile, refugees yearn to continue their lives by pursuing education, supporting their families, and fostering connections with hosting communities.

“In the face of limited resources, it is important that we continue to work with the Uganda government to ensure that the response is inclusive and addresses the needs of the most vulnerable, such as new arrivals, the disabled, and the elderly,” Marcus Prior, WFP Uganda Deputy Country Director, said.

Marcus added that WFP is committed to deepening investments in both emergency support and long-term resilience projects that enable refugees to survive and thrive.”

This year’s celebration is being held under the theme, “Hope Away from Home: A World Where Refugees Are Included.”

Globally, there are over 100 million displaced people, with 35.3 million of them being refugees. Uganda is currently hosting 1,535,000 forcefully displaced people, with South Sudanese constituting the largest number at 56%.

Almost 50% of refugees in Uganda are located in the Bidi Bidi, Pagirinya, and Rhino refugee settlement camps, located in the northwest region of the country. Additionally, South Sudan accounts for 62% of refugees in Uganda, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for 29%.