By: Charles Odongtho
Hon. Eng. Hillary Onek (left), Minister for Relief Disaster Preparedness and Refugees greeting the US. Acting Secretary of State, Ms Marta Costanzo
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Hillay Onek, on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with the U.S. Acting Secretary of State, Ms Marta Costanzo Youth, to discuss humanitarian response and support to refugees and host communities in Uganda.
Onek and Costanzo discussed their shared commitment to providing life-saving assistance to the 1.7m refugees that are being hosted in Uganda. Uganda is the biggest host to refugees on the African continent.
“Uganda today remains the largest refugee hosting country on the continent of Africa. Of the 1.74 million refugees and asylum seekers, 79% are children and women with unique needs that require timely response and intervention. Of these, 91% live in settlements where land is allocated by my government, and 9% reside in urban areas”, Onek stated.
Through her official X page, Costanzo applauded Uganda’s generosity and commitment towards hosting the large number of refugees.
“Glad to connect with Uganda’s Minister, Eng. Onek, at the ExCom. We discussed our shared commitment to providing lifesaving assistance to the 1.7 million refugees hosted in Uganda. Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa, we applaud their commitment to refugees”, Costanzo said.
Minister Hillary Onek (right) during the Refugee Conference in Geneva
The two leaders met during the General Debate of the 75th UNHCR ExCom that is currently going on in Geneva.
Onek delivered a statement on behalf of Uganda. In the statement where he called for sustainable support to Uganda’s generous refugee response policies and urgent need to prioritize durable solutions.
He also appealed to the US and other nations to support Uganda’s capacity to take care of the refugees living in Uganda.
“With the steadily growing number of refugees, I wish to underline that the following be given attention; firstly, collectively be intentional to address the growing humanitarian crisis; secondly, prioritize addressing root causes of displacement and support durable solutions for refugees; thirdly, support refugee hosting countries through timely, predictable, sustainable un-earmarked funding to ease their burden”.
The 75th UNHCR ExCom runs from 14th to 19th October, 2024. Minister Onek was accompanied to the ExCom by the Director of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in Uganda, Helen Bugaari, and Assistant Commissioner Refugees, Douglas Asiimwe.
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