In any crisis, children's needs must come first.

Uganda, like many countries in the region, continues to grapple with a combination of environmental shocks, public health emergencies, and the impacts of regional conflict. These challenges have deepened the vulnerabilities of already at-risk populations, especially children, who are the most affected in times of crisis.

For the past two decades, ChildFund has concentrated its emergency response efforts on supporting education, early learning, and the overall wellbeing of children and families on the move. Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees, placing immense pressure on essential services such as child protection and education. In response, our work focuses on refugees fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, with major interventions in Palorinya Refugee Settlement Camp in the West Nile region. In 2024 alone, ChildFund reached over 500,000 people, including more than 200,000 children, with immediate and long-term recovery programs designed to help children stay safe, learn and thrive despite adversity.

In addition, ChildFund responds to emergencies caused by flash floods in Eastern and North-Eastern Uganda, providing displaced families with basic needs for survival, including shelter, food, clean water, and hygiene kits.

Our Impact

3

child-friendly centres established and equipped to provide safe, inclusive spaces where children can learn, play, and receive psychosocial support.

8

disaster-prone districts in the Eastern region established and operationalized disaster management committees to enhance preparedness, early response, and resilience at the local level.

2,089

children supported with age-appropriate, child-friendly psychosocial interventions, helping them heal, build resilience, and thrive.

34,366

community members reached with awareness-raising messages on child protection and the prevention of violence against girls, boys, women, and men.

251

community-based child protection structures equipped to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and exploitation of children, women, and men, building safer communities for all.

10

early childhood development centres refurbished and equipped to deliver quality early learning, care, and stimulation in safe, child-friendly environments.

Facts and figures from 2024 data.

Our Approach: Protection for the Most Vulnerable

Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees. Over the past two decades, our efforts have focused on supporting education, early learning, and psychosocial well-being, particularly for children on the move from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in Palorinya Refugee Settlement in Obongi District.

We have established 10 child-friendly spaces, now transitioned into early learning centers, where children recover from trauma through play therapy, socio-emotional learning, and structured education. These centers support their psychomotor, cognitive, and emotional development, while fostering socialization and self-protection skills. Meanwhile, caregivers also receive mental health support and essential supplies such as dignity kits.

Our child protection services in emergencies include:

Case management, family tracing, and reunification.
Establishment of child-friendly Spaces
Psychosocial support for children and caregivers.
Strengthening community-based child protection systems.

Learn more:

ChildFund in partnership with Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), local partners, government agencies, and other development and humanitarian organizations, works to raise community awareness on the risks of disasters. We support communities in creating functional disaster preparedness mechanisms, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies. By promoting awareness, we help local populations understand the potential risks and impacts of disasters such as floods, disease outbreaks, and other crises.

As part of this effort, ChildFund assists communities in establishing disaster preparedness systems. This includes providing training and resources to help local leaders, organizations, and families develop practical strategies to minimize the effects of emergencies.

We work alongside refugees and host communities to build trust, strengthen relationships, and foster a shared sense of safety. Through locally-driven protection systems, we support efforts to prevent and respond to violence affecting girls, boys, women, and men. Our approach centers dialogue, community cohesion, and inclusive referral pathways that respond to the unique needs of each group. By strengthening existing networks and promoting shared responsibility, we help communities navigate challenges and create lasting peace.

Learn more: Meet Kaya, the former DJ using radio to champion child rights in Palorinya Refugee Settlement

Featured Project

ChildFund Supports Safe Spaces for Refugee Children and Their Families in Palorinya Settlement

For the 125,000 refugees living in Palorinya Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda, home is not something they can take for granted. Most have fled conflict in South Sudan and are trying to rebuild their lives in difficult conditions. Many households in the settlement are headed by children, as caregivers leave in search of food or work, often exposing children to rights violations.

ChildFund is working to address these challenges by providing child-friendly spaces for children and youth, and by training community leaders on gender-based violence and child protection issues. The spaces are fenced-in compounds with classrooms, improved toilets, and playgrounds, providing a safe place for children to learn and interact. To create awareness around gender-based violence and child protection issues, ChildFund has established and trained Male Action Group committees and disseminates information over the radio. Watch this video to learn more.