The Nakivale Base Settlement, one of Uganda's longest-standing refugee settlements, is wrestling with the challenges of an expanding population.

An estimated 170,000 refugees now reside in the settlement, a significant increase from the 100,000 figure reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in early this year.

The Deputy Camp Commandant, Penelope Twebaze, in a recent interview, disclosed that the influx of refugees, particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has surged considerably.

"We've seen a 70% increase in the refugee population from the DRC in the past year alone. Previously, we settled new arrivals in the Rubondo zone, but now we've shifted to the Juru zone to accommodate this surge," explained Twebaze.

Twebaze also highlighted the strain on resources, revealing a significant decrease in food baskets and cash flows.

According to recent UNHCR data, the camp has experienced a 40% reduction in food baskets and cash flows over the last six months, amplifying the crisis, particularly for persons with special needs.

The camp relies heavily on Catholic Refugee Services (CRS) and PSS Shelter for support. Still, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting a 20% decrease in funding for CRS in 2023, the already stretched resources are nearing exhaustion.

Climate change has also compounded the issue, affecting the camp's agricultural output. 

Twebaze emphasized the need for an irrigation system, stating, "Harvests have reduced by approximately 30% due to adverse weather conditions. If you can get an irrigation system in place, it could greatly enhance the livelihood sector."

Madi Djabakate Mohamed, Head of the UNHCR Nakivale Field office, underlined the camp's diversity, housing around 12 nationalities, and the continuous influx of new refugees due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring countries.

Mohamed highlighted the unique mobility afforded to refugees within Uganda, different from many other nations, which typically confine refugees within camp boundaries.

"This approach fosters a sense of normality, although it also brings challenges, especially when refugees attempt to cross international borders," he added.

Jocelyn Wyatt, the CEO of Alight, former American Refugee Council(ARC), promised to leverage their network to attract higher funding.

"We're working on connecting with private donors in the USA, both individuals and companies, to highlight the stories of refugees in Uganda," Wyatt said.

As the refugee population continues to grow, the Nakivale Base Camp and organizations like Alight remain steadfast in their mission to serve and support these displaced individuals, said Wyatt.

Recently, H.E Xavier Sticker, the Ambassador of France to Uganda, marked a significant milestone by signing a 500,000 euro grant agreement with Action Against Hunger (ACF) Uganda.

This collaboration falls under France’s 2023 Programmed Food Assistance and is aimed at fortifying the nutrition and food security of approximately 2,000 vulnerable refugee households and host communities in Nakivale and Kyangwali refugee settlements.

H.E Sticker emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This partnership with Action Against Hunger is a testament to France’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Uganda. Through our Programmed Food Assistance, we aim to not only provide immediate relief but also contribute to the long-term resilience of communities facing food insecurity.”

Under the 12-month Uganda Nutrition and Resilience project, the partnership seeks to achieve key objectives, including enhancing access to diversified nutritional diets, improving the nutritional status of refugee and host community households, supporting large-scale agricultural production, and promoting behavior change communication to address malnutrition.

The Programmed Food Assistance, a financial instrument of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, aligns with France’s broader strategy for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

The initiative reflects France’s commitment to the London Food Assistance Convention and the humanitarian-development nexus.

Since 2017, the French Embassy, under H.E Xavier Sticker’s leadership, has contributed a total of €3,040,000 towards humanitarian projects addressing food security, health, and economic empowerment for refugees and host communities in Uganda.

Regarding the partnership with Action Against Hunger (ACF), H.E Xavier Sticker highlighted, “Active in Uganda since 1980, ACF plays a crucial role in the fight against hunger. Our collaboration with ACF is not only about providing financial support but also about building sustainable solutions to address the root causes of malnutrition and food insecurity.”

This partnership builds upon the foundation laid from 2019 to 2021, during which the French Embassy allocated 900,000 euros to improve food security and resilience in the refugee camps of Kyangwali.

H.E Sticker emphasised the continuity of efforts, stating, “This project is a continuation of our commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of those facing the challenges of displacement and food insecurity in Uganda.”

The story is produced by the New Vision with support from the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) and Konrad Adenauer Stifung(KAS).