Kampala, Uganda – 16.06.2017 Irish Aid Airlifts Aid for South Sudanese refugees
News
16 June 2017
The Government of Ireland today completed the airlifting of essential relief items worth €500,000 (more than 2 billion UGX) to support South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. This critically needed assistance includes blankets, shelter construction materials, cooking sets and mosquito nets.
Irish Aid, the Irish Government’s programme for overseas development, covered the costs of two separate airlifts to Uganda – one from Dubai on the 11th of June and another one from Accra today. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, received the supplies at Entebbe International Airport and will distribute them to South Sudanese refugees in Uganda’s districts of Arua and Lamwo.
This support comes at a critical time, with around 2,000 South Sudanese refugees arriving in Uganda daily since July 2016, when a new conflict erupted in Juba and quickly spread to other parts of the country. The fighting has continued to drive people from their homes across the border into Uganda, which now hosts more than 1.2 million refugees – 960,000 from South Sudan alone. Despite the pressure of this unprecedented influx, Uganda has maintained its refugee welcoming policy, keeping its borders open and continuing to provide refugees with land, shelter, freedom of movement and access to services.
The people of Ireland have continued to offer support to the South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, and have provided €3 million in lifesaving assistance in 2016, including €1,114,000 to UNHCR.
“We are so grateful to the Irish people for showing solidarity with refugees,” says Bornwell Kantande, UNHCR Representative in Uganda. “Such display of generosity clearly signals that Ireland stands with Uganda and the communities who have opened their doors and hearts to men, women and children fleeing conflict and violence in their home countries.”
In September 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration, whereby 193 states pledged robust support to countries affected by large movements of refugees and migrants. “We hope more countries will follow the example of Ireland and will join forces to support Uganda’s progressive refugee model,” says Kantande.
About UNHCR
UNHCR leads and co-ordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. Today, a staff of more than 9,300 people in 123 countries continues to help and protect millions of refugees, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people. In Uganda, UNHCR provides protection and humanitarian assistance to more than 1.25 million refugees in coordination with the Government of Uganda and partners.
Follow UNHCR on Twitter @refugees and Facebook www.facebook.com/UNHCR/ and www.facebook.com/UNHCRUganda
About Irish Aid
Irish Aid is the Irish Government’s programme for overseas development. The programme is managed by the Development Co-operation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The work we do in fighting global poverty and hunger is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy. Irish Aid has been working in Uganda for 23 years. It’s current Country Strategy Paper (CSP) runs from 2016-2020 and has a strong focus on Karamoja and support to the Humanitarian Response in Uganda
Follow Irish Aid on Twitter @Irish_Aid / @IrlEmbUganda and Facebook www.facebook.com/IrishAidCentre
For more information, please contact:
UNHCR
In Kampala, Stephanie Perham, Donor Relations Officer, perham@unhcr.org, +256 775 822 957
In Kampala, Katherine Wainwright, Associate External Relations Officer, wainwrig@unhcr.org, +256 775 825 592
Irish Aid
H.E. Dónal Cronin, Ambassador, donal.cronin[at]dfa[dot].ie, +256 772 744402