School of Business

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Browsing School of Business by Author "John Gray Ambayo"

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    The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security Among Refugee Communities in Uganda; a Case Study of South Western Uganda
    (Uganda Christian University, 2024-05-02) John Gray Ambayo
    Every human created in the image of God desires to live a better life in a flourishing world purposed by God. This is not the case with more than 1.5 million refugees who have been forced out of their countries mainly due to armed conflicts and ethnic violence. Uganda by 2024 is hosting the largest refugee population in Africa and the third largest in the world after Turkey and Pakistan. Majority of the refugees have fled from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Somalia and Rwanda. One of the main challenges facing refugees has been food insecurity which the government of Uganda with support from humanitarian organizations led by World Food Program (WFP) and Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have been addressing. However, the advent of COVID-19 introduced a complex layer and exacerbated food insecurity mainly in low- and medium-income countries and refugees among the vulnerable groups have been worst hit by the pandemic. This study sought to examine the impact of COVID-19 on food security among the refugees with focus in South Western Uganda where majority of refugees have spent more than 5 years mainly depending on humanitarian food assistance for survival. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide both scholarly and practical solutions, based on experiences of refugees that would empower them to become resilient and self-reliant in terms of food security. Accordingly, the study was conducted in the renown refugee settlements of Kyangwali, Kyaka and Nakivale where 113 respondents that included 87 refugees, 23 humanitarian workers and 03 Government staff from the Office of Prime Minister (OPM) participated. A mixed research approach was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data using survey, interview and focus group discussions (FGD). The research findings show substantial deterioration of food security caused by the pandemic among the refugees mainly during lock-down periods. There were various challenges faced by refugees particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, children, pregnant and lactating mothers in accessing food due to COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, reduction of food assistance by WFP and loss of employment and income by some refugees. The inadequate food coupled with reduction in food rations compelled some refugees to resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as reduced meals, stealing, survival sex and family neglect. Despite these challenges, some refugees have to a small extent demonstrated resilience and creativity through backyard gardening, livestock rearing, use of compost manure, formation of farm group and engagement in small scale businesses to supplement on the little food ration. For refugees to become self-reliant, holistic approach that involves women empowerment, continuous donor support, programme integration, promotion of local solutions and innovations by refugees, collaboration with key partners among others is recommended. Further research on food security in other settlements will add more value to the plight of refugees in transforming their lives.