The West Nile region has an estimated 4 million people and is the second poorest region in Uganda. By January 2019, the region hosted 704,902 out of the 1,205,913 refugees and asylum seekers (i.e., 59%). Bidibidi and Rhinocamp refugee settlements in Arua and Yumbe districts alone had 321,152 refugees.

These people face livelihood (food and income) insecurity. The project seeks to contribute to SDG 1 (end poverty), SGD 2 (zero hunger), SDG 8 (financial inclusion) and SDG 13 (environment conservation) with a goal, “Refugees and host communities have secure livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development within Rhino camp and Yumbe resettlement areas, in West Nile Region, Uganda.” 

In phase 1 (2017-19), the project reached 975 people (755 households - 69% females; 50% refugees) and 150 youths (48% females) with 4,668 indirect beneficiaries. The external evaluation found out that the project: increased food availability and diversity (73% of the households had three meals daily and 92% had kitchen gardens). Monthly incomes increased among the youth from a baseline of UGX 63,962 to UGX 148,780. Environment conservation also improved as households had an average of 27 trees and 59% used energy saving stoves. Peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities improved and refugees accessed 225 acres of farm land. Women also reported improved sense of self-worth. Given the gravity of the challenge, another 3-year Phase II with the same goal and objectives was extended.

Project Budget: UGX 2,878,874,000

Donor: Austrian Development Cooperation, Bruder und Schwester in Not Innsbruck (BSI) and Caritas Kärnten and HORIZONT3000