Two-Week Assessment Report (May 2025)

Prepared by: UNCC – Uganda Field Team & Australia HQ
Assessment Location: Rhino Camp, Imvepi Settlement, and surrounding host communities
Date: 17 May 2025

Executive Summary

In the past two weeks, UNCC volunteers conducted urgent assessments through direct field visits and phone calls with elderly refugees and other highly vulnerable individuals in Uganda’s West Nile refugee settlements. This rapid reassessment was prompted by a disturbing rise in reports of sudden food ration cuts, particularly affecting elderly persons (60+), individuals living with HIV/AIDS, those with mental health conditions, and persons with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension—many of whom rely on daily medication to survive.

Despite being a volunteer-run, unfunded charity, UNCC has remained consistently present and engaged with the most at-risk individuals, offering grassroots-level emergency interventions, assistive devices, counseling, and advocacy. Our presence has been met with deep gratitude and overwhelming support from the community.

Findings

Based on firsthand interviews and field reports, the following patterns have emerged:

• Elderly refugees have lost access to food assistance without notice, legal justification, or viable alternatives.

• Persons on daily medication (ARVs, insulin, psychiatric drugs) reported missing doses due to lack of food, leading to worsening health, hospitalizations, and increased mortality risk.

• Affected individuals are resorting to harmful coping mechanisms, including skipping treatment, child labor, survival sex, and complete social isolation.

• Mental distress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and domestic violence have been recurrent among isolated seniors.

• Host community members have confirmed UNCC’s positive impact, citing our field volunteers as a trusted and consistent presence.

Voices from the Community

"Why are new arrivals receiving food while we, who have been here for years, are starving?"
– 68-year-old widow, Rhino Camp

"I have HIV. I cannot take ARVs without food. I feel like dying."
– 53-year-old man, Imvepi

"We do not want to beg, we only want what is fair and what was promised."
– 72-year-old female, refugee elder and caregiver

Recommendations from Affected Participants to Donors and Partners

UNCC strongly echoes the urgent appeals made by the vulnerable population and makes the following recommendations to WFP, UNHCR, OPM, and partner organizations:

1. Immediate restoration of food rations for all elderly and medically vulnerable individuals.

2. Emergency food, water, and nutritional supplements for those living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or under mental health treatment.

3. Urgent medical referrals and consistent access to chronic illness medication.

4. Shelter and non-food item (NFI) support for unaccompanied elderly and persons with disabilities.

5. Clear and transparent communication to the refugee community regarding rationing decisions to reduce confusion and despair.

6. Inclusion of senior refugees in future needs assessments as a priority group, not an afterthought.

Conclusion

The removal of food assistance for medically dependent and elderly individuals is not only a humanitarian crisis—it is a violation of international protection standards. UNCC stands with these individuals and calls on all stakeholders to act swiftly.

Restoring dignity, safety, and access to life-saving support for these often-overlooked members of our community is not optional—it is urgent and non-negotiable.

With respect and on behalf of the affected community,
Mr. Peter Lino
Managing Director – UNCC Australia
www.uncc.agency | director@uncc.agency | +61 478 600 577

Promoting Morals & Community Values | A volunteer-run humanitarian effort.