The United States government has committed US$75 million in humanitarian funding to support refugees, host communities, and vulnerable populations across Uganda, amid growing needs driven by drought, disease outbreaks, and displacement.
The funding, channeled through the Eastern and Southern Africa Humanitarian Fund and managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, will support a response led by the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Mr. Leonard Zulu. It will enable humanitarian partners including UN agencies and both international and national NGOs to deliver critical assistance in food security, nutrition, health, protection, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
Humanitarian officials welcomed the contribution, noting that it comes at a time when Uganda is hosting over 2 million refugees, one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. The funding is expected to significantly boost life-saving interventions and sustain frontline response capacity, especially as needs continue to rise.
Uganda is currently facing a worsening humanitarian situation, driven by recurrent drought, regional instability, and increasing vulnerability among both refugees and host communities. Areas such as Karamoja are experiencing severe acute malnutrition, particularly among children, compounded by recent measles outbreaks.
The allocation will help address urgent nutrition and health challenges in drought-affected regions, while also supporting essential services in refugee-hosting districts. This includes maintaining access to food, healthcare, and clean water, as well as strengthening protection services for vulnerable populations.
Officials emphasized that the Uganda Humanitarian Fund continues to play a vital role in ensuring effective, transparent, and coordinated delivery of aid. The latest contribution is expected to complement ongoing efforts by the Government of Uganda and its partners in responding to the country’s complex humanitarian needs.
The support is aligned with broader response frameworks, including the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan, and aims to prioritize the most severe and urgent needs while preventing further deterioration of essential services.
