Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): Protecting and Supporting Displaced People

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): Protecting and Supporting Displaced People

NRC’s programme in Uganda has a community-based approach and uses protection analysis to inform the response and target the most vulnerable refugees and host communities. The programme is multisector and anchored mainly on cash-based interventions, with expertise in education, livelihood and food security, WASH, shelter and ICLA.

Education

NRC works to improve attendance rates in school, especially among girls. They offer an accelerated education programme for refugee children, so that they catch up and join the official school system. NRC education teams:

• offer catch-up classes and support primary education for children and young adults
• provide vocational training to young adults with self-employment and diversified livelihood options
• support teacher professional development
• support construction and rehabilitation of learning facilities
• support improvement of teachers’ welfare in hard-to-reach areas
• provide school materials and multipurpose cash to address financial barriers to education

Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)

NRC information services help refugees make informed decisions about returning to their home countries. NRC ICLA teams:

• help refugees obtaining legal documentation
• help resolve disputes on housing, land and property
• research and provide information services and training sessions on housing, land and property, refugee status determination, legal identity, and employment laws and procedures
• address issues around refugee status determination

Check out: JRS Uganda sets up field office in Rubaga, Kampala.

Livelihoods and food security

The lack of post-primary school opportunities is a major challenge for refugees in Uganda. To help them earn a living, NRC livelihood and food security teams:

• support communities to access agricultural tools and seeds through cash interventions
• offer vocational skills development for refugees and nationals in self-employment, agriculture and entrepreneurship
• provide business support and cash grants to vulnerable youths to increase their access to income generating livelihood opportunities
• provide cash grants to refugees with specific needs, especially those with disabilities, single-headed households and elderly people, to enable them to cover their basic needs upon arrival

Shelter and settlements

NRC shelter teams:

• construct emergency and semi-permanent shelter and latrines, especially for refugees with specific needs, like people with disabilities and the elderly
• build and rehabilitate learning spaces and provide furniture
• construct quarantine centres as part of NRC Covid-19 response

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promotion

NRC WASH teams are responsible for bringing clean water and sanitation to displaced and local communities. NRC WASH experts:

• provide clean drinking water and latrines to settlements, as well as schools and vocational centres
• together with communities, establish water facilities for refugee villages and schools
• provide permanent water solutions to refugees
• raise awareness and sensitise on high-risk practises including on Covid-19 prevention

Where to Find NRC:

NRC is present in all larger refugee hosting districts. NRC has an area office in Arua with programmes in Yumbe, Tergol, Madi Okollo, Imvempi, Arua and Adjumani, another area office in Kampala with operation in Kampala, Kikube, Kisoro, Bundibugyo and Isingiro