China grants Uganda $1 million to support refugees amid funding shortfalls

The government of Uganda, in partnership with China, has launched a $1 million humanitarian assistance project funded by the Chinese government, to improve the welfare of refugees across the country.

The grant, which was unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to support a range of interventions in refugee-hosting communities, including access to food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and basic infrastructure.

The Chinese emergency humanitarian assistance is targeted at helping nearly 2 million refugees, as funding gaps from traditional donors continue to widen.

Speaking during the launch, Lilian Aber, Uganda's minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, said reduced contributions from long-standing humanitarian partners were already being felt across refugee settlements.

"One of the serious challenges we are currently facing is feeding. World Food Programme is no longer providing food to the extent that they are supposed," Aber said.

She urged more international partners to step forward and support Uganda and warned that the country's progressive refugee policy, while widely praised, cannot be sustained without stronger financial backing.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja welcomed China's support and noted that Uganda remains one of Africa's largest refugee-hosting nations, accommodating displaced people mainly from neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She noted that partnerships, such as the one with China, are crucial in easing pressure on national resources while ensuring refugees continue to receive essential services.

"The humanitarian assistance project underscores growing bilateral cooperation between Uganda and China and reflects a shared commitment to addressing urgent social and humanitarian challenges," she said.

Fan Xuecheng, charge d'Affaires ad interim at China's embassy in Uganda, reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening ties with Uganda, saying the initiative forms part of a broader framework of cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that humanitarian support remains an important pillar of China's engagement in Africa, particularly in countries facing significant refugee inflows and development pressures.

Uganda has been widely recognized for its progressive refugee model, which grants displaced people access to land, education, and employment opportunities.