Care.org Care.org
icon icon icon icon icon icon icon

Uganda Refugee Crisis

Two women and a man walk on a dirt road, all carrying blankets or buckets to hold water. The woman in front is balancing a cardboard box on her head with one arm, and carrying a baby with the other.

CARE / Peter Caton

CARE / Peter Caton

Emergencies

Uganda is at risk of outbreaks of diseases like cholera, malaria and Ebola.

About the Crisis in Uganda

Uganda has experienced a huge influx of refugees and asylum seekers – more than 1.3 million – from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, straining local resources.

More than 62 percent of refugees in Uganda are from South Sudan, where people face violence, food insecurity, and a lack of access to basic services such as health and education. Another 28 percent come from the DRC, where Congolese are escaping from inter-ethnic violence and attacks on civilians.

Uganda is at risk of outbreaks of diseases like cholera, malaria, and Ebola. Currently, Ebola continues to spread in the eastern region of the DRC and threatens to break into Uganda. Erratic, heavy rainfall has caused poor road conditions, leading to slow responses for services and health emergencies.

Of the refugees and asylum seekers entering Uganda:

are fleeing violence and food insecurity in South Sudan

are fleeing violence and food insecurity in South Sudan

are escaping inter-ethnic violence in the DRC

are escaping inter-ethnic violence in the DRC

What CARE is Doing in Uganda

CARE Uganda focuses on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and increasing accessibility to sexual, reproductive, and maternal health and shelter. This involves supporting health facilities with supplies, equipment and infrastructure, providing support to pregnant and lactating women and girls, promoting public health and hygiene, and providing menstrual cups. GBV programs provide case management and psychosocial support through survivor-centered approaches.