Women and children dying from preventable causes

Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in Africa – more than one million refugees. Violence in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo has forced thousands of families to leave behind all they know to seek refuge in a new country.

The influx of refugees has put intense pressure on a health care system that still struggles to meet the needs of its own people. As refugees flood into Uganda, Uganda’s health centers face serious shortages of medicines, supplies and staff.

About 80% of refugees are women and children, who are particularly vulnerable to sickness and death. Without medical care, people die from preventable causes. Mothers die while giving birth. Babies don’t get proper nutrition. Children suffer from malaria.

Meeting refugees as they arrive and continuing their care in Uganda

Medical Teams is recognized by the United Nations for the quality of our work to make sure refugees throughout Uganda have access to life-saving medical care. Because of that, we have been the chosen partner for providing refugee healthcare in Uganda by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2009.

Your support allows us to be on the front lines as refugees cross the border into Uganda. It enables our teams to provide a health screening for nearly every refugee that arrives in Uganda. You also help provide vaccines and monitor for diseases like Ebola, cholera and COVID-19 that have outbreak potential.

We continue delivering medical care after families move from border crossing points to refugee settlements. We staff clinics with qualified doctors and nurses and ensure facilities are stocked with essential medicines.

When health clinics are available, children suffering from malaria and respiratory infections – two of the leading causes of death – recover their health. Pregnant women receive prenatal care and get help delivering their babies, even when they need emergency care like C-sections. Malnourished children receive treatment and supplemental food.

Your support also trains refugees to help their neighbors. Refugee volunteers walk to the far reaches of the settlements to ensure everyone has care, no matter how far they are from a clinic. They explain to families how to prevent illness and monitor for diseases. These health messages are even more important during a pandemic like COVID-19. All of these efforts prevent suffering and help refugees and the local community live healthy lives.

See the joint press release for Uganda’s Health Sector Integrated Refugee Response Plan.