The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned that emergency funding to support nearly two million refugees in Uganda will run out in September unless donors urgently step in. The looming shortfall threatens food, shelter, and protection programmes for people fleeing conflict in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director for External Relations, said the crisis would have devastating consequences. “More children will die of malnutrition, more girls will fall victim to sexual violence, and families will be left without shelter or protection unless the world steps up,” she cautioned.
Uganda currently hosts 1.93 million refugees, with more than one million under the age of 18. According to UNHCR, an average of 600 people continue to arrive daily, pushing the total toward two million by year’s end. The country already shelters the largest refugee population in Africa.
Due to the severe Uganda refugee funding crisis, UNHCR says it can only meet a third of the needs for Sudanese refugees. Without fresh funding, it will slash its monthly cash assistance from $16 to just $5 per refugee.
Malnutrition rates are climbing as food, water, and medical supplies dwindle. Meanwhile, the agency warns of an increased suicide risk among young refugees because reduced budgets have cut the number of mental health staff.
The crisis comes amid one of the worst global funding shortages in decades. Cuts from the United States and other major donors have deepened the gap, leaving the survival of hundreds of thousands in Uganda dependent on emergency aid that could vanish within weeks.
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