Denmark donates $1 million relief fund to WFP to assist refugees in Kampala

The government of Denmark has announced $1 million donation to the United Nations World Food Programme to assist refugees in Kampala.

While acknowledging the receipt of the fund on Friday July 10, 2020, the WFP stated that the donation would be spent on refugees who are battling the socio-economic impacts of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

WFP noted that it began delivering cash assistance to an initial group of Kampala-based refugees on 5 June.

While expressing thanks for the contribution, WFP stated that it would continue rolling out assistance in coming weeks.

It added that each refugee will receive the equivalent of three months’ worth of cash

“The people of Denmark are aware of how desperate the situation for refugees living in Kampala could become without assistance,” said Henrick Jespersen, the Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda.

Jespersen expressed hope that the contribution could help stem the dire economic straits confronting the refugees in Uganda’s capital.

He stressed that it would further act as a symbol of solidarity and partnership with the people of Uganda and its government during this global crisis.

Jespersen also commended the proactive measures the government of Uganda has taken to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

“The way you welcome your neighbours in your country is a testimony to Ugandan hospitality and is what makes Uganda the leading country in the world in delivering on the global Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework,” he said.

Kampala hosts over 81,000 refugees who sought refuge from conflicts in neighbouring countries. Unlike refugees in designated refugee settlements in Uganda, refugees in Kampala are not normally given food or cash assistance from WFP because they can access markets and services.

Generous donations from the Government of Denmark and assistance from WFP is actually keeping both refugees and Ugandans safe from COVID-19.