The Contribution Of UNHCR And Refugee Welfare In Uganda. A Case Study Of Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement Camp In Kamwengye District

ABSTRACT The study assessed the contribution of UNHCR and Refugee welfare Rxvamanja Refugee settlement camp, Kamwenge District,Western Uganda. It was guided by five specific objectives, that included; (i) To assess the contribution of LTNCHR towards health services, (ii) To examine the contribution of liNT-ICR towards provision of water services (iii) To establish the role of UNHCR in provision of education services (iv) To identify the role of UNHCR in providing sanitation services (v) To assess the role of UNHCR in providing access to shelter refugees in communities. This study used the descriptive cross-sectional survey design and was used to collect data from different respondents (e.g.camp administrators) at the same period of time. A sample size of 40 respondents was used and was determined using Krejcie and Morgan Table (1970) for determining the sample size from the population. The questionnaire and interview guide were used as the research instruments. Descriptive statistics used in this study included frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed the following: The results indicate that UNHCR contributes greatly in ensuring that refugees have access to health facilities and services in the host areas though it is not adequate to all refugees in the area; indicating that they have access to water provided by UNFICR or but there could be challenges to accessing water services in the refugee camp, which may include the distance and ciuality of water accessed; the results revealed that respondents have access to education services as provided by UNHCR, most especially Primary education, indicating a relatively high accessibility to school and education services by children of refugees in the camp as a fundamental human right which should be enjoyed by everyone whether a refugee or other people in the host communities; the findings revealed that refugees in Rwamanja settlement camp have access to toilet and other sanitation services provided by UNHCR; the findings revealed that the respondents get food support from UNHCR, most especially in terms of posho and beans rations. The researcher recommended that it is imperative that the Government of Uganda and hosting Local Governments should mobilize for more resources especially funds that are vital in re -settlement of refugees in the area to supplement of IJNHCR’s efforts; there is need for Government of Uganda in collaboration with UNI-ICR to improve referral and health services. There is need for UNHCR to work closely with the host country and communities in providing access to education services by embracing the local education system especially government programmes like Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary which will go a long way in enabling the refugees to have access to education.