In the current period of August 2023 – January 2024, which covers the first 2023 harvest and the second 2023 planting and harvesting seasons, 846,000 people (20 percent of the population analysed) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse), with 58,000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The population analysed includes 12 refugee host districts in which 6 are classified in IPC Phase 3 or above: Adjumani, Kiryandongo, Kyegegwa, Lamwo, Obongi and Yumbe.

The food security situation is projected to gradually deteriorate during the projection period of February to June 2024, with the population in IPC Phase 3 or above increasing from 846,000 people (20 percent of the analysed population) to 963,000 people (23 percent of the analysed population). Of the twelve analysed refugee hosting districts, the food security situation is only anticipated to deteriorate in Madi Okollo from IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) to IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) with the rest of the districts retaining a similar phase as in the current analysis period.

Uganda hosts slightly over 1.4 million refugees in 13 districts and the impact of climate related shocks and hazards – including poor rainfall performance across the districts, water logging and flash floods –  combined with endemic pests/diseases, recurrent land conflicts between refugees and host communities and high and increasing food prices are driving the food insecurity in these districts.

• Urgently provide food and livelihood assistance to the populations in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and Phase 4 (Emergency) to save lives and livelihoods.
• Strengthen social protection systems for nutrition and food security. Enhanced social protection systems will be key to reducing food insecurity in refugee host communities.
• Invest in post-harvest management to reduce losses and support households to keep food stocks through the pre-harvest periods.
• Enhance agricultural advisory services to farmers. Training on modern agronomic practices, including climate smart agriculture technologies, to reduce impact of water logging, flash floods, pest infestation and dry spells.
• Further invest in provision of water for production to reduce the impact of climate shocks and hazards.
• Due to the recurrent nature of food insecurity episodes in some districts, it is important to organize a Chronic Food Insecurity analysis to not only identify areas with large populations facing long-term inability to meet minimum food requirements both in terms of quality and quantity, but also suggest solutions to the structural causes of food insecurity in refugee hosting districts.