'Humanitarian assistance will enhance refugee children’s nutrition'

 

Uganda hosts nearly two million refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

The majority come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan, driven by ongoing conflict and instability.

However, children growing up in conflict and refugee settings face several challenges that affect their growth and development. 

For example, malnutrition remains high across refugee settlements, with 8% wasting and 20% stunting.

And the Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence in children ranges from 4% to 12% among refugees compared to 5% to 11% in the hosting population in Uganda, according to data from the World Food Programme.

In addition, these children are also at a high risk of undernutrition and disease, which hinders their cognitive and physical development. This, in the end, “Significantly impacts their future health and ability to thrive.”

Faced with that reality, having worked in humanitarian programmes for over 20 years, public health specialist Alfred Ecega Guli stepped up to find a sustainable solution to help save lives.

In August 2020, he enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in public health, focusing on humanitarian programming and nutrition in emergency settings for populations affected by conflicts, who benefit from humanitarian assistance programs.

Guli is set to graduate on October 25, 2025, at Nkumba University. His research focused on how humanitarian assistance impacts children’s nutritional status, especially among the refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda.

His study found that children whose caregivers received cash assistance had low levels of underweight, stunting, and wasting compared to children who received food in-kind assistance (dry food rations).

However, the wasting prevalence is evidently high among children on cash. Also, access to land and agricultural inputs by refugees is low, hence limiting refugee food production and increasing dependence on food assistance.

Recommendations

Guli recommends that humanitarian assistance (food in-kind and cash assistance) be integrated with food security and livelihood programmes.

The Government of Uganda should also gazette land for refugees and extensively promote farming among refugees and asylum seekers to increase household food production.

Relatedly, humanitarian agencies should increase support for agricultural interventions and extension services, as well as support other income-generating activities to reduce dependence on relief assistance.

Guli pledges to advocate for sustainable humanitarian interventions that are anchored on inclusivity and equity principles, promoting accountability and responsiveness to affected populations and the general public.

It is important to note that most refugees in Uganda depend on humanitarian assistance to meet their daily food needs.

And without sustained assistance, many may face acute food insecurity. Good enough, humanitarian aid is regulated to ensure sufficient, safe, and nutritious food is consumed to prevent malnutrition and death among the affected populations.

Prioritising

The PhD journey hasn’t been rosy for Guli. He says, “Balancing work, books, and family responsibilities was tough.” However, he learnt to prioritise and communicate clearly with supervisors, workmates and his family.  

Another challenge was financial constraints since he privately sponsored his studies. To mitigate the financial stress, he had to suspend his other projects in favour of his PhD programme.

In ten years, Guli sees himself at a global and regional policy development level, with a deliberate focus on local actors and efficiency.

He pledges to advocate for sustainable humanitarian interventions that are anchored on inclusivity and equity principles, promoting accountability and responsiveness to affected populations and the general public.

He currently works as the Executive Director for Action for Development (AFOD) South Sudan and Policy and Partnership Advisor with Alliance Forum for Development (AFOD), Uganda.  

He holds a master’s degree in public health, a bachelor’s degree in health services management, a Diploma in Ophthalmology, and a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health. Guli attended Cesia Primary School in Adjumani district.

Thereafter, he went to Bukoyo Secondary School, Moyo Secondary School, and Apostles of Jesus Seminary for his secondary education.

Know what you want

Guli urges PhD aspirants to know what they want to contribute to society before enrolling in a doctoral programme. 

"What value addition are you bringing to the academic field and community in terms of new knowledge?"