Refugees International has returned to northern Uganda this summer for its sixth mission since 2002. Our advocates, Melanie Teff and Camilla Olson, are travelling from mid-June to July to focus on humanitarian assistance, protection and durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with an emphasis on the specific needs of women and children.

Over the last two decades, conflict and instability have created massive displacement in northern Uganda. Two years ago, the region began making greater strides toward peace when it began the Juba peace process. In 2006, the security situation was greatly improved when the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) signed a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA). However, this agreement expired in April of this year when LRA leader Joseph Kony would not sign the Final Peace Agreement. Despite the challenges, the Juba peace process has helped provide a promising basis for ending the conflict and reducing displacement.

Still, in northern Uganda, there are over 1 million IDPs and more than 800,000 returnees who need protection and social services. Conditions in areas of return are often worse than those in the camps, deterring IDPs from returning to their homes. RI is analyzing conditions in the camps and the implementation of return, reintegration, and early recovery strategies. RI is also assessing progress made in helping refugees from south Sudan return home.

RI is reviewing the the UN’s “cluster response” to internal displacement, a program which aims to improve communication and service coordination between the Government of Uganda and international aid agencies. In particular, RI is assessing the program's effectiveness in the areas of protection, governance, infrastructure, and livelihoods.