No tags yet.
The majority of South Sudan refugees live in Uganda which holds 520,000 refugees. This significant population has inhabited many refugee camps in the country. The biggest one of these camps is the Bidi Bidi Camp. Not only has this camp become the biggest camp in Uganda, but is not the biggest refugee camp in the world. Whilst this camp has grown into a stable home for the Sudanese people, it required a lot of hard work to create.
It is quite amazing how the refugees, Ugandans, and humanitarian aids have turned this camp into what it is today. Originally the land of 250km was full of trees, rocks, and dust and in the space of a year has turned into a home for over 270,000 South Sudan refugees. This has been achieved through a hard effort towards developing infrastructure. There are now several safe houses and facilities for the refugees. There are over 25 volunteers in the settlement which aim to sustain and improve the well being of the South Sudanese refugees. The team of volunteers aims to improve the lives of the refugees by offering services such as post-traumatic counseling, prevention of violence and a reception center to continue accepting and caring for refugees. Furthermore, the RMF aim to provide easily accessible health care for the refugees in the camp by the implementation of 30 clinics across the camp.
Whilst many people may believe that refugees can be a burden on a country’s economy, the Bidi Bidi camp has actually brought economic benefit to Uganda and provided jobs to the South Sudanese refugees. The camp has developed several farms that provide vegetation such as okra, cowpeas, eggplants, tomato, onions, cabbage, maize, and groundnuts. This provides a stable form of nutrition of the refugees and potentially can grow to help other areas in Uganda. There are several training camps which teach the refugees how to farm. Not only does this feed the refugees in the camp but also provides the refugees with jobs within their community. Hopefully, this can teach the refugees that there is hope after the traumatic events they have experienced
The Bidi Bidi camp has grown considerably over the last year and in many ways, turned itself into a little city. However, there is still a way to go for the camp and potential for improvement in several sectors. It is critical to support this amazing camp with the resources which it needs but at the moment it is doing a great job with ensuring care for their 270,000 South Sudanese refugees.
Citations
American Refugees committee. “Welcome to Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement.” American Refugee Committee, American Refugee Committee, arcrelief.org/welcome-bidi-bidi-refugee-settlement/.
“South Sudan Refugees: Life in Uganda Refugee Camps.” Caritas, Caritas, 5 Oct. 2018, www.caritas.org/2018/09/south-sudan-refugees/.
RMF. “Healthcare Implementing Partner for UNHCR at Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.” Childhood Malnutrition Eradication Program - Real Medicine Foundation, RMF, www.realmedicinefoundation.org/our-work/countries/uganda/initiatives/healthcare-implementing-partner-for-unhcr-at-bidibidi-refugee-settlement/.