Protecting dignity – spotlight on Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation

Introduction to Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives podcast featuring refugee humanitarian professionals‎

The host (Nwabundo Okoh) introduces the podcast focusing on humanitarian professionals from Sudan who now live and work in Uganda as refugees helping other refugees. The episode features Amira, Mona, and Rayan from the Women-Led Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation based in Entebbe. The discussion follows up on topics from HX Kampala regarding diaspora as humanitarian actors and Sudan’s regional response networks.

Rayan explains her humanitarian journey and the organisation’s core programming ‎

Rayan describes her journey fleeing Sudan with her two children, spending time displaced in Sudan and South Sudan before arriving in Uganda in August 2023. She explains that their organisation supports both urban and camp-based refugees from different nationalities (Sudanese, South Sudanese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, and Congolese). She highlights their focus on urban refugees who are often left out of traditional humanitarian programs, providing services like health and education linkages, English language classes, legal awareness sessions, and creating safe spaces for women and youth.

Mona discusses the refugee situation in Uganda and funding challenges ‎

Mona provides context about Uganda hosting 1.93 million refugees, with over a million under age 18. She highlights the severe humanitarian funding crisis, with UNHCR funds covering only 28% of needs, leaving 22% of refugees at risk of hunger, disease, and violence. She praises Uganda’s progressive refugee policy that allows refugees to live, work, and access public services, but emphasizes that funding shortfalls severely impact service delivery. She notes that urban refugees are particularly vulnerable as they’re often excluded from regular service delivery systems.

Amira details the organisation’s programmes and their importance ‎

Amira explains that Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation was established to empower refugees and host communities and facilitate access to essential services. Their programmes include helping refugees navigate healthcare, legal aid, and education; providing capacity building through English classes and vocational training; promoting cultural exchange between refugees and host communities; raising awareness about refugee rights; and offering livelihood support for vulnerable women. She emphasizes that their work helps traumatised refugees stay occupied, feel ownership, and address economic challenges, citing examples of refugees who learned English through their programme and secured jobs with NGOs.

Mona highlights innovative healthcare services provided to refugees ‎

Mona describes how Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation links refugees with chronic diseases to healthcare providers. She explains that they’ve built a database of refugees with conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and facilitate medication delivery to reduce costs and transportation challenges. She notes that the organisation includes professionals from diverse skilled backgrounds, including medical doctors and lawyers, who help connect injured refugees from the Sudan conflict with services from organisations like ICRC.

Mona reflects on the impact of attending HX Kampala ‎

Mona shares insights from the HX Kampala conference organised by Save the Children Uganda and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, which focused on locally-led humanitarian response in East Africa. She explains how the conference provided networking opportunities and potential partnerships for Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation. As a result, WRPDO is now drafting proposals for funding opportunities like the UNHCR Innovation Fund and the Canadian Fund for Sudanese Local Initiatives. On a personal level, Mona connected with the Global Women Leaders network and applied for a mentoring programme and crisis leadership facilitation training she learned about through the conference.

Rayan discusses the unique approach of a women-led refugee organisation ‎

Rayan explains that as a women-led refugee organisation, their work is not just professional but personal, as they share the same challenges as the community they serve. Their approach is grassroots and practical, starting with available resources rather than waiting for big projects or budgets. She gives examples of starting English classes using their own skills and organising legal rights sessions with NRC. She emphasizes that being women, they naturally bring perspectives of care and inclusion, focusing on safe spaces and ensuring vulnerable groups aren’t left behind.

Amira’s closing message to the international community ‎

Amira urges the international community to view refugees not just as vulnerable people in need of aid, but as capable, skilled individuals who should be partners rather than beneficiaries. She calls for a shift from dependency to empowerment through education and skills building. She emphasizes that refugees should be included in programme design, implementation, and decision-making to restore dignity and create sustainable outcomes. She concludes by highlighting that while Women Refugees for Peace and Development Organisation is committed to putting refugees at the center of their programmes, they urgently need funding, resources, and capacity support to continue their work.