Head of UNHCR Visits Bidibidi Refugees’ Settlement Camp
The head of UNHCR Philpa Grandi on Tuesday, 9th March 2021 toured Bidibidi Refugees’ Settlement Camp in Yumbe District in the West Nile region, Uganda. His arrival in the country this week caused a lot of excitement from the refugees and host communities who lined up at Yumbe town council to welcome him.
Grandi praised the government of Uganda for the open-door policy for refugees which has allowed a huge number of refugees to settle in the country
The UNHCR boss also praised the hospitality extended by the people of Yumbe district where he also held meetings with the stakeholders in the office of the prime minister. Mr. Grandi said he came on the ground in line with the UNHCR principle of working for people on the ground
Grandi said it’s more important to reach the beneficiaries of the different projects instead of stopping in Kampala's capital city.
He called for sustainability of the projects undertaken in the country in different refugees’ settlements as he urged the government to own such projects.
He further pledged to drum up support so that Uganda can be able to solve challenges in education, environment, and livelihood among others which have come out as a result of pressure mounted on social amenities following the upsurge of refugees.
Grandi visited the motorized water systems at zone III, the side of OPM in Yumbe, and the women's center in Zone II.
Uganda hosts more than 1.4 million refugees, the majority being from South Sudan who fled the country following fighting between President Salva Kiir and his vice president Dr. Riek Machar.
By Gaaniko Samson Jerry
