Uganda’s refugee camps are grappling with severe overcrowding as escalating violence in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo drives tens of thousands to seek safety across the border, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported on Tuesday.
Matthew Crentsil, UNHCR’s representative in Uganda, made an urgent appeal for international assistance, stressing the immense pressure the country is under to provide for the influx.
“Uganda is already the largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa, sheltering some 1.8 million people displaced by conflicts across the region,” according to UNHCR data.
Since the beginning of this year alone, over 41,000 people have fled the DRC into Uganda. The majority of new arrivals are women and children, many of whom are in dire physical condition upon reaching the camps, Crentsil noted.
Those escaping the violence recounted harrowing experiences from the Goma region in eastern Congo, situated approximately 70 kilometres from Uganda’s border. Armed clashes between the M23 militia and the Congolese army have continued to displace large numbers of civilians, further fuelling the humanitarian crisis.
“With resources stretched thin, Uganda has already had to scale back childcare and education services in the camps due to funding shortages.
“Authorities are now prioritising the prevention of disease outbreaks,” Crentsil said.