Key Considerations: Balancing Epidemic Preparedness and Response with Humanitarian Protection in Ugandan Refugee Settlements

Humanitarian actors in Ugandan refugee settlements face the dual challenge of preparing for and responding to epidemics, while providing essential humanitarian assistance. They must balance their international mandate to protect refugees and uphold human rights with a variety of public health measures to safeguard refugees, humanitarian workers and Ugandan host communities from epidemic threats. This complex task also involves addressing broader regional, national and international public health implications of uncontrolled epidemic spread.

Previous SSHAP briefs have described specific considerations regarding cross-border dynamics between Uganda and neighbouring countries in the context of epidemics. The brief Key Considerations: Cross-Border Dynamics Between Uganda and South Sudan in the Context of the Outbreak of Ebola, 2022 highlights the complex movement of people across the highly porous – and sometimes contested – South Sudan-Uganda border, which cuts through multiple ethnic groups. It describes mobility as related to networks of kin, livelihoods, trade, education, healthcare, and the search for safety and security. The brief suggests that Ebola preparedness and response activities need to be locally appropriate, paying specific attention to the livelihoods of people in this region. Another brief specifically highlights the need to consider the context specific vulnerabilities of refugees in Uganda in relation to epidemics.

This brief builds on these insights and presents considerations for five areas of epidemic preparedness and response in Ugandan refugee settlements, drawing on the experience of COVID-19 and its implications for humanitarian protection. It focuses on refugee settlements in north Uganda, drawing on ethnographic data collected during COVID-19 in Palabek refugee settlement, Lamwo district. This is combined with insights from published research, grey literature, and discussions with government employees and humanitarian actors engaged in the Ugandan refugee response.