Japan donates $7.9m to Karamoja refugees

The government of Japan has committed approximately $7.9 million to support refugees and host communities as well as the vulnerable population in Karamoja sub-region.

The support has been channelled through five United Nations and International Organizations. These include UNHCR, UNICEF, FAO, WFP and UN WOMEN.

The donation comes at a time when Uganda is set to host the Global Refugee Forum where countries with refugees are expected to attend and address challenges affecting refugees in all countries.

The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek, speaking before the media in Kampala confirmed the development.

He added that in the last two years, Japan has so far provided $13 million, with $9.8 million in 2021 and $3.3 million in 2022 as funding assistance to Uganda, through UN agencies.

“These funds will support activities for refugees and host communities including Covid-19 effects and challenges, promoting nutrition in Karamoja, and mitigating the impact of climate changes, in addition to the empowerment of women and girls affected by disasters,” he stated.

The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Fukuzawa Hidemoto, asserts that Japan is not only supporting refugee and refugee communities but also providing access to affordable safe and nutritious foods for all people and overcoming the vulnerability of the global food system.

Fukuzawa explained that Japan recognizes that the humanitarian situation in refugee-hosting areas and vulnerable communities affected by the current global situation, such as climate change are devastating.

Therefore, 2023’s contribution has been made with a specific focus on mitigating the impacts of food and nutrition insecurity, and gender equality including protection of women from sexual and gender-based violence to the vulnerable population, including refugees, host community members, women and children in Uganda.

“The Government of Japan will continue to support Ugandan people by acknowledging Uganda’s refugee policy and needs for humanitarian- development supports as well as creating a strong and powerful partnership,” he said.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugee Representative, Joël Boutroue, applauded the collaboration between Uganda and the Japanese government and pledged continuous support.

Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa with more than 1.5 million refugees, the majority of which originate from South Sudan, DRC, and Somalia.