URCS SUPPORTS DRC REFUGEE COMMUNITIES
Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have continued to infiltrate the country
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URCS Vision Posted, 11 January 2018 | CharityTo fulfill the URCS mandate and obligation in delivering quality and sustainable humanitarian assistance
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URCS Mission Posted, 11 January 2018 | CharityTo be partner of choice in Uganda in Saving lives, Supporting Livelihoods and Promoting human dignity
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URCS Achievements Posted, 11 January 2018 | CharityAs part of the significant achievements in 2017, Uganda Red Cross supported the South Sudan refugee operations in West Nile, Northern Uganda, responded to several disasters including floods and landslides in Bududa, Sironko, Manafwa, Kabale, Kisoro, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Elegu, Isingiro etc. URCS also responded to disease out breaks like Cholera in Kasese and Marburg in Kapchorwa and Kween (North eastern Uganda) among others.
Latest News
URCS Responds to Cholera Outbreak in DRC Refugee hosting settlements
Thousands of Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have continued to infiltrate the country despite the already ongoing influx, and the recent cholera outbreak in refugee settlements. Uganda Red Cross society has been on ground to respond to both, the growing numbers of refugees and the continued spread of cholera especially in Kyangwali and Kyaka II refugee settlements. About a month ago, the ministry of health declared a cholera outbreak in the refugee hosting districts of Hoima and Kyegegwa which left over 29 people dead and over 986 suspected cases. This however, has not deterred the crossing masses from coming into the country, fleeing conflict in the neighboring DRC Congo. This has only escalated the influx and the spread of cholera in these areas. According Irene Nakasiita, the Coordinator PR Uganda Red Cross Society, the outbreak could have been brought about by the apparent open defecation by the children and improper use of the latrines provided, although many of the refugees are crossing with the disease to Uganda. “The sanitation here is not the best, given the fact that the numbers are big and the latrines not sufficient enough, there is continued open defecation especially by children and this among others, and has become a major cause of cholera in this area. We are however doing our best to continuously sensitize and train the refugees on how to observe proper hygiene and sanitation at both individual and community levels.” Said Nakasiita
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Red Cross employs new Blood Donor Recruitment Strategy to curb blood shortage in the country.
Joined by corporate companies, the media and the public at large, Uganda Red Cross has embarked on a campaign to recruit voluntary blood donors through its volunteer base and membership structures. Uganda currently suffers a blood shortage that has left many hospitals stranded with patients that require blood transfusion. The month of January was an alarming period for most hospitals that registered many accident causalities during the festive Christmas season, as well as other sick people that need emergency blood transfusion. As the situation worsened, various media houses were awash with stories about the dire shortage of blood in hospitals, at the Nakasero blood bank and the other regional blood banks and collection centers across the country. Uganda Red Cross Society in partnership with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service embarked on a mobilization campaign to recruit voluntary blood donors. “We are doing a country wide blood mobilization, a strategy that will see us bridging this blood shortage. We encourage all able people to donate blood. Uganda Red Cross has many members and volunteers. We want them to also donate and lead by example and that’s the new approach we are taking. We believe others will follow.” Sarah Mutegombwa, Health Manager – Blood Donor Recruitment at Uganda Red Cross Society. The Uganda Red Cross members and volunteers were then joined by other corporate companies like NSSF, Kabaka Foundation (CBS FMs & BBS Terefayina), Capital FM, Movit Uganda, Indian Association in Uganda, Pakistan Association in Uganda, URA among others.
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Uganda Red Cross supports refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo
Effects of inter-communal violence between Lendu and Hema ethnic groups that broke out in Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and attacks by Mai-Mai militia in North Kivu started in December 2017, resulted into mass displacement and population movement of people from the DRC to Uganda. Uganda has since opened boarders and started receiving refugees through the lake Albert in Sebagoro (Hoima district), South Western border points in Ishasa & Butogota (Kanungu district), Nteko & Bunagana (Kisoro district) and lately Kanara (Ntoroko district) as well as the West Nile region unofficial border points through Zombo district. Since December 18th 2017, Uganda has received 29,292 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (UNHCR Updates, February 9th, 2018). Of late, Uganda receives about 5,260 refugees per day which has proved an overwhelming influx to contain at such a time. This crisis has severely stretched the capacity of Uganda’s refugee centers and constrained the country in terms of providing social services, food, health, education, water and sanitation services among others to the refugees considering that already Uganda has been receiving refugees from South Sudan.
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Uganda Red Cross supports the most vulnerable groups in refugee settlements in West Nile, Northern Uganda.
As Uganda ranks amongst the top African Countries receiving refugees, humanitarian agencies have had to work harder each day to support the ever growing number of refugees and ensure their well-being. Today, Uganda is home to 1.3 Million refugees from South Sudan, majority being mothers and children. Since the on-set of the refugee influx in July 2016, Uganda Red Cross has been at the fore-front of this refugee response providing key services that include provision of clean and safe Water, providing Hygiene and Sanitation facilities, social mobilization for disease outbreak and control, registration, restoration of broken family links, distribution of relief Non-food items among others. Uganda Red Cross is prioritizing the most vulnerable groups of people who have been named “persons with special needs”, their families and communities in all the refugee settlements in West Nile. Faunta Angila, 67 years old lives in Imvepi refugee settlement. She survives on support from the different humanitarian actors in this operation. Faunta is crippled. Her neighbors have offered to support her with basics of life only when they can. She got into Uganda through the help of South Sudan Red Cross Volunteers who carried her to the boarder where she got into a bus to Uganda. As a survivor in a family of 8 people, Faunta recalls how her close people died during the war. Today, as part of support given to persons with special needs who are also a category among “the most vulnerable”, Uganda Red Cross volunteers visit Faunta for different reasons.
Read MoreUganda Red Cross supports refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo
DRC refugees being addressed by humanitarian actors upon arrival at Sebagoro reception centre recently. Photo credit: Deborah Amujal – URCS Effects of inter-communal violence between Lendu and Hema ethnic groups...
Red Cross employs new Blood Donor Recruitment Strategy to curb blood shortage in the country
A Uganda Red Cross staff (IT – Enock Bukenya) joined by a mobilized voluntary blood donor at a drive organized in partnership with the Kabaka Foundation (CBS FM, CBS Emmanduso...
Uganda Red Cross Responds to DRC refugee influx amidst cholera outbreak.
URC Volunteers spraying the feet of all entrants to Kagoma Reception Centre as a measure to prevent the spread of Cholera in this area Thousands of Refugees from the Democratic...
Uganda Red Cross signs MOU with Everton FC
URCS’ Secretary General, Everton’s Jonathan Garsic and Health Education UK’s Ged Byrne after signing the MOU. Uganda Red Cross signs MOU with Everton FC to support the South Sudan refugee...
Uganda Red Cross team cleans Imvepi market
Red Cross volunteers cleaning the roads around Imvepi market during the Sanitation week. Uganda Red Cross team cleans Imvepi market, rewards outstanding model homes during the West Nile Sanitation week...
Rtd Bishop Tom Okello re-appointed President of Uganda Red Cross Society
Rtd Bishop Tom Okello giving his remarks during the National Council meeting “It is with much joy that I happily accept to serve as President of Uganda Red Cross Society...
Uganda Red Cross praised for excellent First Aid services at the NSSF Hash Run
Uganda Red Cross first aiders helping runers who failed to complete the 21KM Marathon due to sustained minor injuries board a Red Cross ambulance. Uganda Red Cross society was hailed...
Meet Arjun Prasad-The 160+ times blood donor
Arjun Prasad has donated over 160 times and he recently participated in a URCS Blood donation drive Arjun Prasad Mainali is a US citizen of Nepalese origin. On the 11th...
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Latest Event
Uganda Red Cross supports refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo
DRC refugees being addressed by humanitarian actors upon arrival at Sebagoro reception centre recently. Photo credit: Deborah Amujal – URCS Effects of inter-communal violence between Lendu and Hema ethnic groups...
Red Cross employs new Blood Donor Recruitment Strategy to curb blood shortage in the country
A Uganda Red Cross staff (IT – Enock Bukenya) joined by a mobilized voluntary blood donor at a drive organized in partnership with the Kabaka Foundation (CBS FM, CBS Emmanduso...
Uganda Red Cross Responds to DRC refugee influx amidst cholera outbreak.
URC Volunteers spraying the feet of all entrants to Kagoma Reception Centre as a measure to prevent the spread of Cholera in this area Thousands of Refugees from the Democratic...
Uganda Red Cross signs MOU with Everton FC
URCS’ Secretary General, Everton’s Jonathan Garsic and Health Education UK’s Ged Byrne after signing the MOU. Uganda Red Cross signs MOU with Everton FC to support the South Sudan refugee...
Uganda Red Cross team cleans Imvepi market
Red Cross volunteers cleaning the roads around Imvepi market during the Sanitation week. Uganda Red Cross team cleans Imvepi market, rewards outstanding model homes during the West Nile Sanitation week...
Rtd Bishop Tom Okello re-appointed President of Uganda Red Cross Society
Rtd Bishop Tom Okello giving his remarks during the National Council meeting “It is with much joy that I happily accept to serve as President of Uganda Red Cross Society...
Uganda Red Cross praised for excellent First Aid services at the NSSF Hash Run
Uganda Red Cross first aiders helping runers who failed to complete the 21KM Marathon due to sustained minor injuries board a Red Cross ambulance. Uganda Red Cross society was hailed...
Meet Arjun Prasad-The 160+ times blood donor
Arjun Prasad has donated over 160 times and he recently participated in a URCS Blood donation drive Arjun Prasad Mainali is a US citizen of Nepalese origin. On the 11th...