As the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Rhino Refugee Settlement Camp in Uganda’s West Nile region, I have witnessed the profound impact conflict has on children. Nestled within the Terego and Madi-Okolo districts, Rhino Camp serves as a refuge for families escaping violence and instability. In these challenging environments, addressing the effects of war on children and actively involving them in peacebuilding efforts is not just important, it’s imperative. Humanitarian actors empowering adolescents during an EASE session Children in conflict zones often emerge as the most vulnerable population, facing immense trauma, loss, and displacement. The scars from these experiences can have lasting psychological effects. However, with the right support, […]
In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become common challenges for many. Amidst the chaos, mindfulness meditation has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being and enhancing the quality of life Caregivers practicing mindfulness meditation during a training session Mindfulness meditation is a practice that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. It encourages individuals to observe their thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, fostering a greater awareness of the present. Unlike other forms of meditation that may focus on specific goals or outcomes, mindfulness is about being fully engaged in the here and now. Starting a mindfulness meditation practice is simple. Begin by setting […]
Gender discrimination occurs when one sex is favoured over the other, leading to disadvantages for the opposite gender. In our society, we frequently encounter such discriminatory situations between women/girls and men/boys. Globally, it is estimated that 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner at least once in their lives, with 30% of women aged 15 and older affected (UN Women, 2023). In the same report, most violence against women is perpetrated by current and or former or intimate partners. More than 640 million or 26 % of women aged 15 years and older have been subjected to intimate partner violence. […]
This article is about the technicalities of starting the STEPS project in Rhino Refugee Settlement.
Community conversations, commonly referred to as CC, are a nonlinear process that facilitates open and free discussions among community members about issues affecting their daily lives, enabling them to devise local action plans and solutions. In Misenyi village, Kakabara sub-county, the issue of malnutrition and stunting emerged as a critical concern during one of the CC sessions facilitated by youth champions under the Young Africa Works program, Cohort 3, in Kyegegwa district. Identifying this issue, two youth champions from the Misenyi Group of Hope, a local VSLA, raised it with the nutrition focal persons at Kakabara Health Center III. This led to their selection for training as Nutrition Lead Mothers […]
A person is considered a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention if they have fled their place of origin due to well-founded fear of persecution based on their ethnicity, political beliefs, religion, or other characteristics. This definition also extends to individuals who have been displaced by man-made or natural disasters. World Refugee Day is observed on June 20th of each year as a way to honor the bravery and tenacity of the millions of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution, or natural catastrophes. The theme “Hope Away from Home” is particularly relevant in 2024 as it highlights the resilience refugees demonstrate despite being […]
The maize garden after the application of the agricultural inputs from MYIB. In a remarkable effort to promote unity and collaboration, KRC-Uganda has played a crucial role in connecting youth from the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement and the surrounding host community with contract farming opportunities. Through these efforts, these young individuals have been linked with landowners and provided with necessary resources such as seeds and agricultural inputs from MYIB. This article explores the pivotal role of KRC-Uganda in enabling refugee and host community youth to engage in maize farming, creating economic prospects, and fostering mutual cooperation. KRC-Uganda has acted as a bridge between the youth from the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement and […]
Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services are critical in ensuring people enjoy a good standard of living and that their rights are fulfilled. Despite the Government of Uganda (GoU) effort the WHO/UNICEF joint monitoring report 2021 reports that 20 million people in Uganda do not have access to a basic water source, 34 million people do not have access to basic sanitation services and 33 million people cannot practice good hygiene. The Kabarole Research Centre with funding from WaterAid undertook a budget and expenditure analysis study in Lira and Kabarole districts to get a better understanding of how these macro financial trends work out at district level. The study […]
Bidibidi settlement, located in Yumbe district, is the world’s second-largest refugee settlement and the largest in Africa. Covering an area of 250 square kilometers on the Eastern half of the district. According to UNCHR, it houses a total of 42,788 households with a population of 246,312, the majority of whom are refugees (246,310). This population comprises 84% women and children and 3% elderly individuals. The settlement has seen a continuous influx of refugees, driven by escalating political tensions and conflicts in neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. KRC-Uganda and their partners during a mobile court in zone 4, Palabek refugee settlement For many […]
old packaging by the group before training by KRC-Uganda Upon completing my final exams, I fell ill unexpectedly. Despite the initial support from friends, some, including my closest companions, lost hope in my recovery and took possession of my belongings, anticipating the worst. Unable to afford medical treatment in Kampala, I was eventually taken to my home village. The illness was attributed to spiritual causes, and the ordeal persisted for six months. Eventually, I was healed, and a church member intervened on my behalf, securing a job for me in a nearby school. Starting my career as a teacher in 2015, I encountered the challenge of not possessing suitable clothing […]