FAO and UNHCR Collaborate to Strengthen Support for Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Uganda today announced the signing of a joint strategic framework to strengthen their collaboration in support of refugees and host communities in the country.
The framework outlines joint FAO and UNHCR country-level activities and interventions in displacement settings. It aims to support comprehensive and integrated approaches to assisting forcibly displaced persons and host communities in rebuilding and re-establishing their lives and livelihoods through sustainable humanitarian and development support that fosters recovery, resilience and self-reliance.
The framework focuses on three main areas: Coordination for durable solutions in refugee livelihoods, Cooperation for immediate needs and long-term self-reliance, and Collaboration for addressing environmental and energy issues in refugee-hosting areas.
“FAO and UNHCR have a long-standing partnership in Uganda, and this new framework will further enhance our cooperation to provide life-saving assistance, but more importantly to support the development partner’s transition to more durable solutions and livelihoods for refugees and host communities,” said Antonio Querido, FAO Representative in Uganda.
The collaboration is based on the fundamental principle that the Government of Uganda has the primary role and responsibility for leading and coordinating the protection and assistance response for refugees on its territory, with the support of UNHCR, as set out in relevant UN and UNHCR Executive Committee conclusions.
“The collaborative spirit, exemplified in UNHCR's partnership with FAO, aims not only to assist the government in the refugee response but also to foster resilience and self-reliance of refugees in Uganda. Our heightened focus on this aspect is driven by the understanding that refugees require these capabilities to lead more dignified lives in Uganda and upon their eventual return home” said
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Uganda today announced the signing of a joint strategic framework to strengthen their collaboration in support of refugees and host communities in the country.
The framework outlines joint FAO and UNHCR country-level activities and interventions in displacement settings. It aims to support comprehensive and integrated approaches to assisting forcibly displaced persons and host communities in rebuilding and re-establishing their lives and livelihoods through sustainable humanitarian and development support that fosters recovery, resilience and self-reliance.
The framework focuses on three main areas: Coordination for durable solutions in refugee livelihoods, Cooperation for immediate needs and long-term self-reliance, and Collaboration for addressing environmental and energy issues in refugee-hosting areas.
“FAO and UNHCR have a long-standing partnership in Uganda, and this new framework will further enhance our cooperation to provide life-saving assistance, but more importantly to support the development partner’s transition to more durable solutions and livelihoods for refugees and host communities,” said Antonio Querido, FAO Representative in Uganda.
The collaboration is based on the fundamental principle that the Government of Uganda has the primary role and responsibility for leading and coordinating the protection and assistance response for refugees on its territory, with the support of UNHCR, as set out in relevant UN and UNHCR Executive Committee conclusions.
“The collaborative spirit, exemplified in UNHCR's partnership with FAO, aims not only to assist the government in the refugee response but also to foster resilience and self-reliance of refugees in Uganda. Our heightened focus on this aspect is driven by the understanding that refugees require these capabilities to lead more dignified lives in Uganda and upon their eventual return home” said Matthew Crentsil, the UNHCR Country Representative.
This collaboration follows a global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by FAO and UNHCR in 2019, which aims to promote coordinated action in areas of common interest such as combatting poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in displacement settings, achieving inclusive local economic development, and strengthening the sustainability of natural resources management in host countries. This partnership demonstrates, in practice, the UN Country Team’s recently endorsed the UN Common Pledge which includes specific commitments by 11 UN agencies, including FAO and UNHCR, to support critical elements of refugee inclusion to build and achieve collective impact in Uganda.
“Uganda is home to over 1.5 million refugees, and we know that refugees in displaced settings tend to stay an average of 20 years. This is certainly the case in Uganda with many having stayed longer in subsistence conditions dependent on external aid. Partnerships such as the one between UNHCR and FAO are crucial if we are to help the Government in its goal of refugee self-reliance and integration without leaving host communities behind” added Mr Jason Hepp, UNHCR Deputy Country Representative.
Through its emergency and livelihoods programme, FAO is providing aid to households in refugee settlements and host communities in Kiryandongo, Nakivale, Palabek, Bidibidi and Kyangwali settlements. The assistance includes technical training, support to sustainable and inclusive value chains, the provision of access to quality agro-inputs, capacity building, and cash assistance in some cases, aimed at easing the pressures on host communities, enhancing refugee self-reliance, and supporting lasting solutions particularly enhancing opportunities for refugee inclusion in Uganda. FAO’s refugee programme aims to reach circa 126 000 refugees and 37 000 host community households over the next four years through its humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
Recognizing that relying on emergency assistance is not a long-term solution, Ms Priya Gujadhur, Deputy Representative for FAO in Uganda emphasized, “FAO is uniquely positioned to complement UNHCR in providing the skills and tools to refugees to become self-reliant in a way that also protects and even enhances the fragile ecosystems that most of the refugee and host communities must rely on. It is our sincere wish that this partnership between FAO and UNHCR in Uganda goes a long way in making this goal of self-reliance a reality.”
Through this collaboration, FAO and UNHCR will provide technical support and guidance on agriculture and natural resource management for refugee and humanitarian responses, coordinate efforts geared towards household food and nutrition security programming and encourage climate-smart and nature-based solutions while promoting sustainable and climate-smart management of natural resources around settlements.
About FAO
FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to fighting hunger and achieving food security for all. The goal is to ensure that all people around the world have access to enough high-quality food to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
Media Contacts:
FAO Uganda
Agatha Ayebazibwe
Communications Officer
UNHCR Uganda
Frank Walusimbi
Associate Communications Officer