Sexual Gender-Based Violence on the rise in Rhino Camp Refugees’ Settlements Uganda over food ratio
Ofua zone of Rhino Camp Refugees’ Settlement in Terego District has registered 40% increases in sexual Gender-Base Violence (SGBV) during this lockdown due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Ofua zone in Rhino Camp Refugees’ Settlement in Terego District has registered 40% increases in sexual Gender-Base Violence (SGBV) during this lockdown due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
The revelation was made by Mr. Juma Steven, General Secretary at the office of refugee’s welfare conical Ofua zone in an interview with Juba Monitor.
‘’As local refugee leaders, we have tried raising awareness on the unfortunate situation in which many refugees currently find themselves in,” Juma said adding that defilement cases have been the most reported with perpetrators being taken to Arua prison while partners such as Save the Children have been taking care of young girls who fall victims of defilements.
Juma further indicated that the settlement is overwhelmed with issues of domestic violence arising from spouses’ dispute over the ratio cards. He explained that many women often blame their husbands for misusing by selling the food ratio and this often brings disputes.
“Some of the refugees usually receive food ratio in the form of cash, unfortunately when some men receive the money, they would
spend it on alcohol thereby depriving their families,” Juma explained adding that since the majority of men at the settlements are jobless and are not engaged in any kind of businesses, many have turned to alcohol therefore when they receive the ratio money on behalf of their families, it does not reach home but rather ends at the alcohol dens, the result of which is often a fight when these men get back to home.
He said as refugee’s leaders all they can do is to advise the community on how to use the food’ ratio money as well as how to minimize the little food ratio they receive after every two months. He further indicated that they are doing their level best to control the situation by awareness through the block leaders as well as giving orders to those selling alcohol not to do it in the morning.
Finally, he encouraged refugees to report incidences of the dispute to the office of the Refugees Welfare Committee and the police in order to maintain peace and order.
