Strengthening protection, SGBV and child protection response and prevention services in refugee settlements in Uganda

Violence against women and girls has been one of the most neglected casualties of the current crisis. Findings from CAFU’s rapid GBV assessments coupled with programming experience, indicate that women and girls have seen an increased risk of violence due to the increased presence of military actors, following the recent outrage over renewed fighting in South Sudan which has forced thousands to flee their homes and their country, mass displacement, and limited humanitarian response. Rapes, sexual exploitation, abduction and intimate partner violence are widespread and GBV services are very limited.

The escalating food insecurity increases risks of GBV as women and girls have to walk longer distances in search of food or are forced into exploitative situations to survive. The availability of trained workers to provide first aid and basic Psycho social support continue to be insufficient.

Few have access to lifesaving GBV services and in some locations where health agencies are working, health facilities are unable to provide post rape care due to a lack of trained staff, limited supplies and treatments. Given the proximity of the recent break out of conflict and the potential for conflict to intensify in the coming raining season, it is likely that more South Sudan refugees will continue to flee the conflict besides the food insecurity. Many refugees have suffered from repeated displacement due to shifting conflict lines and the search for basic commodities. Services in in the refugee settlements are over stretched and are almost nonexistent due to the recent influx again in the country.
Without assistance to safely access services, individuals are at risk of relying on negative coping mechanisms. Children are often at highest risk for being directly affected by negative coping mechanisms with few protective strategies available to them; and increased exposure to violence can have a lasting and detrimental effect on their development.
During CAFU ’s April 2016 needs assessment in Adjumani and Kriyadongo Districts, most participants reported that while they previously had community support groups, these have since broken down as everyone is now focused on finding the ways to provide basic needs for their family. While the humanitarian response has primarily focused on refugee settlements areas, the impact of instability and violence continues to resonate in lesser affected states.

Adjumani District in particular, has witnessed an increase of refugees from South Sudan and the Protection Cluster has highlighted the severe humanitarian situation and need for an immediate scale up to respond to the critical needs of affected populations. Risks of violence are high due to increasing food insecurity, and GBV. Protection and GBV services are minimal and there is no clinical care available for GBV survivors in many locations.

The project is a great approach to addressing most of social protection, GBV and prevent and mitigate Sexual Reproductive Health challenges including HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies among other.