UNHCR, the Office of the Prime Minster (OPM) and partner agencies today officially launched a communication system for refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda. The two-way communication system is being rolled out to all refugee settlements in Uganda and is anticipated to cover the entire refugee operation by February 2019.

Burundian refugee women and girls are suffering high levels of sexual and gender-based violence and exploitation. Makeshift and dilapidated shelters provide little protection.

Access to education beyond primary school is far from what it should be. Just 20% of secondary school-aged Burundian refugee children are enrolled in education.

The Government of Uganda, Partners in Development and UN agencies today launched the Health Response Plan that will ensure equitable access to quality health services for hundreds of thousands of refugees and host communities in Uganda.

UNHCR Chief calls for more international support for Tanzania. Concluding a four-day visit to East African nation, Filippo Grandi urges greater investment for north-west regions hosting 330,000 refugees.

35 partners including the UN, International and National NGOs are collectively appealing for $296 million dollars for one of the least funded situations, the Burundian Situation.

UNHCR and partners are not promoting return to Burundi, but are working with the governments involved to ensure that returns are based on the principles of voluntariness and informed decisions, and take place in safety and dignity. 58,546 Burundian refugees were assisted to return in 2017 and 2018 .

To foster economic self-reliance for refugees and host communities, Regional Refugee Response Plan partners will work toward strengthening resilience across the region, emphasizing economic inclusion and utilising cash-based interventions wherever feasible.

While more than 58,000 refugees have returned to Burundi since mid-2017, hundreds of refugees still flee Burundi each month, and UNHCR urges governments in the region to maintain open borders and access to asylum for those who need it.

Education is a major priority in the Uganda refugee response for 2019 and beyond. More than half of refugee children, and over one third of Ugandan children in refugee hosting areas, are out of school.