UPSURGE OF URBAN REFUGEES THREATENS SECURITY IN OBONGI DISTRICT

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

The leadership of Obongi district local government have raised concerns over the ever increasing number of urban refugees in the district saying they are a threat to the district’s security.

As a result of the reduction in food ratios by the World Food Program (WFP) and introduction of the cash policy, many refugees have found it hard to sustain their lives in the settlements without looking for alternative means in the urban centers as well as those who have decided to settle in the urban centers.

Fueled by resource constraints, the World Food Program has been forced to reduce on the amount of food given per refugee, worst of it all only those considered vulnerable are able to receive the little, with some receiving money while those who are deemed not vulnerable do not get the relief.

During a learning and experience sharing event about urban refugees and governance, organized by VNG international together with Sustainable Development Through Improved Local Governance (SDLG) and other partners held at Muni University on 16th and 17th August 2023, Leru Andrew, the CAO Obongi urged that given the trend of events ongoing among the refugees, WFP needs to amend some of the policies to counter the issue.   

“Rationalizing food and that others get half yet when it comes to status you are a refugee. Can we go with a common understanding that where the food is not enough, we need to look for more resources. When you look at the cash, the money is devaluing every day. The one million of today is not the one million of tomorrow. But I have not seen a provision to say that in the nutria-cash or other things, there will be a provision for proportional increments based on the money value. So how can you have a fixed amount and say this in now the cash,” Leru noted.

According to him, they are seeing a danger in security since there is no way the district can handle the situation “I am complaining aloud because, I am hosting a very big group in Obongi and we are feeling the insecurity now from categorizing people to receive food. The youth who are able are now using their energy to look for other resources in whatever way. And these categories who have mobilizing in Yumbe are already an indicator that things are turning red. The former soldiers are reorganizing to attract these youth from the camp and the reason is we must survive that is the alarm am raising. But am saying let refugees not have protocol in receiving food ratios,” he said  

According to Nyaku Ernest, the District Community Development Officer (DCDO) Obongi as a result of the reduction in food, a lot of cross border movements have been fueled without OPM being made aware. “I am told now that, UNHCR because of the pressure of the refugees and pressure of inadequate resources has allowed voluntary repatriation to take place and this has made the refugee community to begin moving in and out of the country. The borders have become porous, these people go, and you don’t know what they have gone to do there. They claim that they are going to look for food but what they come back with are the things which cannot be mentioned.” He stressed.

The presence of refugees has a lot of implications security wise. A number of implementing partners have left the settlements because of this reduction,” Nyaku noted.

Paul Kenya head of UNHCR sub office Arua while responding to the concerns of the leaders said, the situation shall continue to be determined by resource availability “For the issue of the food this is a resource led prioritization. You look at what you have in your basket then you who is the most- needy. Every year the food percentage has been reducing in many countries, it’s not in Uganda only. Before the prioritization, the food cuts had gone up to almost 40 percent, what WFP found out was that with the resources, if they continue to give every one food, the percentage may reduce to 30, 20, 15 and they actually said by October it will be zero. There will be no food for everyone,” Kenya explained.

Solomon Osakan, the refugee desk officer OPM office Arua area office responding to the insecurity concerns

According to Solomon Osakan, the refugee desk officer OPM office Arua area office admits the loopholes that lead to insecurity as a result of the cross border movements. “Movement of refugees in and out of the country has a challenge on refugee status determination but also on issues of peaceful coexistence and security which is not e very good trend. It does happen in places like Adjumani, where people do cross and come back, even in Koboko and we have so many ungazetted crossing points in the country,” he confirmed.

Osakan appeals for government and regional efforts towards peace such that the refugees do not go through such sufferings given the rising demands for humanitarian assistance in many parts of the world. “I still appeal to our government and the regional blocks to try whatever is possible to ensure that peace prevails in the countries of origin of these refugees” he added. 

As of May 31st 2023, there were 122,797 refugees in Obongi.

COVER PHOTO: A participant raises concerns during the event By Godwin Abedican