Funding Crisis Halts Food Aid for 1 Million Refugees in Uganda
Food rations for one million refugees in Uganda have been completely cut amid a severe funding crisis at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), The Guardian reported.
The agency urgently requires $50 million to support refugees fleeing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. Uganda hosts Africa’s largest refugee population of 1.8 million, with malnutrition rates exceeding 15% in camps.
The cuts follow drastic aid reductions by the US under Donald Trump’s administration and European countries, severely limiting Uganda’s ability to care for refugees. Only 46% of the $858 million needed for Uganda’s refugee response plan was funded in 2024.
Ugandan Minister Hillary Onek warned that dwindling global support could lead to increased violence, confusion, and forced repatriations. Refugees fear starvation and may resort to illegal activities or return to war zones to survive.
Activists caution that funding cuts risk forcing host countries to reverse refugee-friendly policies, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
