RISE UGANDA: REFUGEES: INNOVATION, SELF-RELIANCE & EMPOWERMENT Your Impact Report – Fall 2023
(Photo credit: Luke Dray, Arete)
In 2019, Opportunity International started working in the refugee space in Uganda, to promote financial inclusion among refugee and host communities in and around refugee settlements. Hosting over 1.5 million refugees, Uganda is the largest hosting nation in Africa and the third largest in the world. Many refugees are well established and looking to grow their livelihoods and build resilience. In 2020, COVID arrived, and the world went into lockdown. Uganda experienced one of the longest lockdowns in the world, which slowed project rollout and impacted livelihoods among refugee communities, as they were unable to access markets. Withdrawal of UK AID funding also led to the initial project having to be adapted. Despite this, the project has continued to scale up and has supported communities through financial literacy training and access to financial services. Over the past 12 months, the project has grown 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606 T 800.793.9455 W opportunity.org
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