By Jurugo Emmanuel Ogasto
South Sudanese refugees living in Palorinya Refugee Settlement continue to face worsening humanitarian conditions as food rations distributed to them keep declining, residents told No.1 Citizen Newspaper yesterday.
Several refugees interviewed expressed deep concern over the continuous reduction in food assistance, saying the situation has made life increasingly unbearable, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Manyiel Abraham, a refugee in Palorinya Refugee Settlement, said the reduced food ratio has left many families struggling to survive.
“The food we receive is no longer enough to last the whole month. Sometimes we are forced to skip meals or depend on casual labor, which is not always available,” Abraham said. “Children are the most affected because they go to school hungry.”
Koma John Bosco, also a resident of Palorinya refugee settlement, echoed similar concerns, noting that the reduction in food rations has increased stress and desperation among refugees.
“We fled war hoping to find safety and basic support, but now food is becoming a serious problem,” Bosco said. “The ration keeps reducing, yet prices in the market are very high. Many people cannot afford to buy food.”
Another refugee, who requested anonymity for fear of possible repercussions, said the situation has forced some refugees into negative coping mechanisms.
“Some young people are dropping out of school to look for work, while others are moving out of the settlement in search of food,” the source said. “Women and girls are also at risk because they may be forced to do things they would not normally do just to feed their families.”
Humanitarian agencies have previously cited funding shortages and increasing numbers of refugees as key reasons for the reduction in food assistance across several settlements in Uganda. However, refugees in Palorinya say the impact on their daily lives is severe and requires urgent attention.
Residents are now appealing to the Ugandan government, the United Nations, and international donors to intervene and restore adequate food rations before the situation worsens.
Palorinya Refugee Settlement hosts thousands of South Sudanese refugees who fled conflict and insecurity in their home country. With limited opportunities for self-reliance, many refugees depend largely on humanitarian aid for survival.
As food rations continue to drop, refugees warn that hunger, malnutrition, and social challenges may increase unless immediate action is taken.