By: Doreen Nasasira
NAKIVALE
The Commissioner for Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Okello Patrick has launched the distribution exercise for the relief food which was donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRELIEF) to the most vulnerable Congolese Refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
The event took place at Rubondo Sub-Base Camp in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District on Wednesday.
The Commissioner for Refugees thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending supporting to the Refugee Community in Uganda through its KSRELIEF Humanitarian Agency.
Mr. Okello noted that despite the enormous challenges the country faces resulting from the huge influx of refugees, the Government is committed to maintaining its Open-Door policy towards the refugees.
The Commissioner for Refugees in OPM, Mr. Okello Patrick delivers his remarks at the event in Rubondo, Isingiro District
“This relief food donation comes at a time when the support to the refugee community is declining yet Uganda continues to grapple with an influx of Refugees. Thank you for this support, however, we still need more. The donation we are distributing today will only cater for 12700 most vulnerable Congolese Refugees which isn’t sufficient. The Nakivale Refugee Settlement hosts over 19000 Refugees,” Mr. Okello said.
According to the Commissioner for Refugees, the donation from KSRELIEF will cater to a population of 12700 most vulnerable Congolese Refugees who fall under the category of “Persons with Specific Needs”. The category of “Persons with Specific Needs” comprises of the elderly who are 60 years and above, Children from the age of 0 to 17 years, lactating mothers, single mothers, those with disabilities and child headed families among others.
Each recipient of the donation will receive a 27 kg food box containing 10 kg of Maize flour, 5 kg of Rice, 5 kg of Sugar, 4 kg of dry beans, 1 kg of salt and 2 litres of cooking oil.
Mr. Okello said a number of measures have been put in place to ensure that the relief food is received by the selected beneficiaries and used for its intended purpose.
“This Food is not for Sale. Anyone caught selling the relief food or engaging in any form of misappropriation regarding the donation will be apprehended,” Mr. Okello Said.
On behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Refugees expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for maintaining cordial relations with the Government of Uganda and for extending support to other sectors such as Education, Public Health and Sanitation among others.
A representative from KSRELIEF, Alzaben Abdulrhman Abdulaziz said the team was delighted to make a contribution that will benefit the most vulnerable families from Congo living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
The World Food Program Associate Officer for Isingiro District, Asiimwe Santo commended the criteria being used to distribute the relief food and for giving priority to the refugees who are extremely vulnerable and in dire need of support.
The Protection Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Mbarara District, Zainab Jafri thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for rendering its humanitarian efforts and support to the Government of Uganda in enhancing its implementation of the open-door policy towards the refugees.
She pledged UNHCR’s commitment to supporting the Government of Uganda in the area of refugee protection.
The Commissioner for Refugees (centre with necktie) and the team from KSRELIEF handover relief food to one of the refugees at Rubondo Sub-Base Camp.
The Refugee Local Leader in Rubondo Zone, Fenias Mushumba thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the donation and highlighted some of the challenges faced by the refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
“The Government of Uganda has rendered support to refugees through providing accommodation and opportunities for economic empowerment. The challenges mainly faced by the refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement is inadequate access to water and lack of scholarships for the school going children to enroll for Secondary School education. On behalf of the refugee community, I request that support is extended to those areas,” Mr. Mushumba said.
Uganda is the largest refugee hosting country in Africa and currently hosts over 1.6 million refugees. End.
