Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement (Courtesy)

A worsening food crisis in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda’s Terego District is forcing some refugee children to skip school and attend funerals in search of food, raising concerns over the impact of shrinking humanitarian assistance on education and child protection, According to Pacis Radio in Arua, Uganda.

The settlement currently hosts more than 140,000 refugees, mostly South Sudanese, and continues to receive new arrivals.

The report says reduced food rations, following cuts in donor funding, have left many families struggling to feed their children. As a result, funerals—where meals are often shared—have become one of the few places where hungry children can find food.

The issue was highlighted during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ofua Zone Two, where community leaders and residents described a growing trend of school-going children leaving classrooms whenever funerals are announced.

A refugee living in the settlement, Dudu Celina, said hunger has become so severe that many children have little choice but to look for food wherever it is available.

Celina said many families have exhausted the little humanitarian assistance they receive, making funerals one of the few places where children can get a meal.

Uriama Sub-county Female District Councillor Agasiru Emily urged parents to continue guiding and monitoring their children despite the food crisis.

“If a family is left in the hands of children alone, definitely they will look for places where they can eat. I would advise parents to closely monitor their children and tell children the value of education.”

Aberu Gladys, Chairperson of the Women Council in Akinio Village, said she has repeatedly witnessed children abandoning school to attend funeral ceremonies.

“During the time of feeding, there were so many children in line… and this has happened several times because of poverty.”

According to the report, humanitarian agencies warn that continued reductions in donor funding are worsening food insecurity across refugee settlements. The World Food Programme (WFP) says Uganda hosts more than 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country.

Community leaders fear that unless food assistance improves, more children will be forced to choose between education and survival.