Summary:

• Sudanese women refugees in Uganda report severe hardships in refugee camps, including repeated sexual assaults, lack of sanitary pads, and inadequate healthcare. Harassment and poor conditions have disrupted education and led to miscarriages. The new Amal Community Multipurpose Centre in Kiryandongo offers training and healthcare services to improve refugees’ income and well-being.

KAMPALA, (Examiner) – Sudanese women refugees in Uganda are facing severe hardships within refugee camps, reporting repeated sexual assaults and a lack of essential supplies.

Fatima Mohammed (a pseudonym), tearfully recounted to Sudan Tribune the continuous threat of sexual assault by individuals of various nationalities, including Congolese, South Sudanese, Kenyan, Ugandan, and Somali. She emphasized the urgent need for sanitary pads and adequate healthcare for pregnant women.

Mohammed called on the UNHCR and the Ugandan government to enhance security, improve camp conditions, and ensure access to essential services.

Israa Hassan Hamza, another Sudanese refugee, reported that harassment by students from other countries has led many Sudanese families to withdraw their children from school. Additionally, a lack of primary healthcare has resulted in miscarriages among refugees. Hamza recounted a recent incident where a woman miscarried after Ugandan police used force during a clash with Sudanese refugees.

The absence of gynecologists, obstetricians, and Sudanese midwives, particularly for those with female genital mutilation, exacerbates the healthcare crisis. The camp hospital also lacks essential vitamins for pregnant women, forcing refugees to purchase them despite financial constraints.

Hawa Mohamed al-Nur, another refugee, highlighted the scarcity of job opportunities within the camp, pushing many to seek alternative work to supplement their income.

Dr. Adeeb Abdel Rahman, director of the “People for People” organization, announced the opening of the Amal Community Multipurpose Centre in the Kiryandongo camp. The center aims to address income generation and job creation, providing training to 50 refugees, including 30 new Sudanese arrivals, in making liquid soap and Vaseline to increase their income and self-sufficiency.

Dr. Abdel Rahman also revealed plans to establish a therapeutic camp staffed by doctors from various specialties to provide healthcare services to Sudanese refugees. Beyond economic support, the center focuses on conflict resolution, mental health, cultural and social activities, education, and art for peace, functioning as a partnership between the organization and the camp community.