PARTNERS URGE GOV’T TO DONATE LAND IN REFUGEE SETTLEMENT.

BY KASIGWA ROSE

International Relief Agencies operating in refugee settlements have asked the government to consider allocating bigger chunks of land to refugees within refugee hosting communities to promote commercialized agriculture.

They say that this will improve their well-being and at the same time promote food security among the refugees and host communities.

The Project Manager Peace Project refugees in Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district Sam Busingye said that with the dwindling donor funding, there is need for more interventions for such interventions for self-sustenance.

He was speaking at celebrations to mark one and a half years of a EACE project in refugee settlements and host communities in the district of Yumbe.

In February 2021, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) with support from the Norwegian Embassy -Kampala and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs started implementing the project in Bidi bidi Refugee Settlement that run until March 2024.The project provides Education opportunities, Advocacy, Counselling & Economic empowerment with the aim of empowering Children, Youth and Women.

During the first one and half years, the project has improved food security for 1,865 small hold farmers through block farms and Backyard Garden, improved resilience of 20 community-Saving Groups (591 members) and equipped 867 Youth (Adolescent girls and boys) with both vocational and life skills.