Govt asked to offer land for agriculture in Refugee hosting communities.

International Relief Agencies operating in refugee settlements are asking government to consider allocating bigger chunks of land within refugee hosting communities to promote commercialized agriculture.

They say this will improve well-being but also promote food security among the refugees and host communities.

Sam Busingye, the Manager PEACE Project being implemented by Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) refugees in Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district, with dwindling donor funding, there is need for more interventions. He was speaking during celebrations to mark one and a half years of PEACE project which has  registered a tremendous progress since inception.

ADRA with support from Norwegian Embassy -Kampala and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs started implementing a 3-year PEACE project in refugee settlements and host communities in the district of Yumbe, specifically in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

The three year project that runs until March 2024 also covers Education opportunities, Advocacy, Counseling & Economic empowerment with the aim of empowering Children, Youth and Women.

During the first year, the project improved food security for 1,865 small hold farmers through block farms and Backyard Gardens, improved resilience of 20 community Saving Groups (591 members), and equipped 867 Youth (Adolescent girls and boys) with both vocational and life skills.

The same project also prepared 940 children for Primary Education through home learning.

According to Mr. Sam Busingye - Project Manager, PEACE PROJECT, they have embarked on capturing success stories for the first year implementation