The United Nations Population Fund in Uganda has received a US$ 499,830 (Uganda’s Shillings 1.8 billion) boost to strengthen the reproductive health services and establishing systems to protect women and girls affected by conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo from Gender Based Violence.
This is part of the US$6,098,619 fund approved by The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to six UN agencies in Uganda for humanitarian assistance to respond to the the recent refugee influx from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This boost comes as Uganda continues to face the largest humanitarian crisis in Africa, hosting close to 1.4 million refugees, of whom one million are from South Sudan and over 242, 000 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with women and children representing 82 percent of this refugee population.
The daily rate of arrivals in Uganda has drastically increased with the first quarter of 2018 marked with an influx of refugees caused by the on-going conflict in Ituri and the instability in north Kivu provinces of northeastern DRC. According to UNHCR, close to 40,000 Congolese have sought refuge in Uganda since 1 January 2018.
How UNFPA will spend the funds
UNFPA’s three –months project will target 25,350 beneficiaries (17,745 refugees and 7,605 host population) living in Kyaka II and Kyangwali refugee settlements in South Western Uganda.
Through this project, six health facilities serving the settlements will be well equipped to provide essential lifesaving interventions including maternal health and GBV prevention and response. All visibly pregnant mother will also receive dignity and clean delivery kits. The project will also ensure that at least 1,000 adolescents are reached to increased access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services and a functional referral pathway established in all settlements for GBV survivors.
“The impact of conflict and other disasters on reproductive health can be devastating particularly for women and girls. Young people also become vulnerable to sexual exploitation and HIV infection hindering their chances of achieving their full potentials and living their dreams,” said UNFPA Representative Alain Sibenaler.
“This support will therefore ensure all women of reproductive age living in the settlements have access to life-saving reproductive health services, and systems are established to protect women and girls from Gender-Based Violence.
“It is also a priority to target young people and provide them with appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and services to enable them make healthy and informed choices about their health. This is in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind,” Mr. Sibenaler said.
UNFPA will work in close collaboration with sister UN agencies, the government of Uganda and NGO Implementing Partners ACORD and CARE.
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