Reducing the vulnerability of refugees

The Issue

Uganda hosts over 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, mainly fleeing from conflict, violence and persecution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, and South Sudan. Although Uganda has been praised for its progressive approach to the refugee situation, reduced global funding have severely strained the country’s ability to provide essential services.

In the first three quarters of 2025, Uganda received 131,335 new refugees, representing a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. The big influx of refugees from the DRC combined with reduced aid spendings not only worsens the situation but will create a major setback in the refugee response programming.

The consequences of underfunding have already impacted several sectors including health and nutrition, food security, protection services and livelihoods. As always in humanitarian situations, vulnerable and marginalised groups are hit the hardest. The situation is only worsened by the fact that many of the arriving refugees struggle with mental health problems and traumas.

The Project

To respond to the refugee crisis, DCA implemented a project rooted in community-led responses to build the capacity and resilience of the affected persons to reduce vulnerability at the community level and at the transit centres. At the same time, the project sought to improve access to community-based mental health and psychosocial support for newly arrived refugees at transit and settlement level.

Recognizing that crisis-affected communities are themselves usually the first responders, and that strong elements of self-help or social safety nets and mutual support are key to building resilience, DCA worked closely with local communities. Refugee and hosting communities already know what their urgent needs are, and a collective approach with existing community groups, partners and volunteers are more cost-effective in addressing community crises and perceived challenges. Therefore, DCA built on the already existing group capabilities, local opportunities, and capacities to meet the immediate humanitarian needs at the community level.

Nikuze Uwimana, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sitting in her old shelter in the Nakivale refugee settlement, southwest Uganda. Photo: Martha Agwang

The Change

The project sought to support community-led groups with emergency Group Cash Assistance to meet the urgent needs of newly arrived refugees. This community-led response approach strengthened locally driven initiatives, focusing on addressing the most pressing humanitarian needs and common challenges faced by new arrivals.

At the same time, the project aimed to support newly arrived refugees through increased access to community-based mental health and psychosocial services, with DCA and its partner providing basic psychological first aid prior to settlement.

The Results

11 community-led and self-help groups were selected, assessed, and supported to implement group cash assistance activities. The groups directly supported 64 vulnerable households comprising 238 forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
45 interactive psychoeducation sessions were conducted across Matanda Transit Centre and Nakivale Refugee Settlement, reaching a total of 1,821 forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
The project successfully implemented Problem Management Plus (PM+), an evidence-based psychological intervention designed to support newly arrived refugees experiencing mild to moderate psychosocial difficulties. 253 refugees were enrolled on 25 structured PM+ groups.
The project provided specialized mental health care and individualized case management for refugees experiencing severe trauma-related and depressive mental health conditions. 26 newly arrived forcibly displaced and stateless persons were enrolled into individualized treatment and case management programmes.

The Partner

DCA worked with TPO Uganda to implement the project. TPO is a national NGO working in 43 districts of Uganda to empower communities to improve their mental health and socio-economic wellbeing.