In less than a week 66,000 refugees have fled fighting in DR Congo to seek shelter in Uganda. The urgent needs are immense but funding is lacking. The Danish Refugee Council has deployed technical assistance and is working to strengthen its efforts.
An attack on Kamango city in DR Congo Thursday last week have forced 66.000 refugees to cross into North Uganda seeking shelter in the Bundibugyo District.
“The needs are immense at the moment – needs for shelter, food, and water and sanitation,” says Lilu Thapa, Country Director with the Danish Refugee Council in Uganda (DRC).
DRC is among the agencies already working on the ground coordinating with other agencies on a rapid response to the situation.
“We have a team of two present in the ground at the moment. One helping in providing technical assistance to water supply for the refugees, and one working with other agencies to protect unaccompanied minors,” says Lilu Thapa, who is hoping to find funding for further DRC interventions.
According to UNHCR Uganda was already hosting more than 210,000 refugees and asylum seekers before the recent influx of 66,000.
DRC has been working in Uganda since 1999. In Uganda, DRC plays an important role within the provision of protection through presence and monitoring, advocacy on behalf of the population and helping the communities to rebuild their own support systems for helping the vulnerable.