Actors in the humanitarian space in Uganda including donors, INGOs, political leaders, government officials, NGOs, RLOs convened at Mestil Hotel in Kampala for the first ever Annual Grand Bargain Meeting In Uganda.
The meeting fostered discussions on how to seek ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action as addressing the humanitarian funding gap.
During this meeting, Lillian Aber, the Minister of state for Disaster preparedness, Relief and Refugees revealed that Uganda has made significant strides in creating sustainable humanitarian response particularly localization. “Localization is real and it is what is achievable and effective,” she said.
Aber emphasized the need to secure durable solutions of refugees with focus on voluntary repatriation, transition management adding that Uganda remains committed to sustainable humanitarian response.
“We have full government support to ensure that localization is realized. We have to look at resilience building in the communities hosting refugees that is in livelihoods, health, education,” said Aber.
Presenting the Local Actors Statement, Joyce Julian Acoko, the Chairperson Charter for Change- Uganda noted that the localization approach has been proven to be the most effective and gives the most immediate solutions. She also added that Localization is sustainable because it draws leverage from the local knowledge and resources.
“Local actors are cost effective and efficient, with valid knowledge of the local context. They understand the reality more than any other person. If the capacity of local actors is developed, they can continue to support the communities better,” said Acoko.
Acoko also noted that in terms of the localization Agenda, Uganda has registered some successes through; local actors taking leadership roles; strengthened financial support for the local organizations, increased direct funding, creation of localized coordination mechanisms like the National Reference Group and Charter for Change all of which have promoted localization conversation.
The grand bargain is the conversation that will get more means to the hands of people who are affected.
In the speech of the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, the read by Ketty Kashemeire, the Assistant Commissioner of the Local Council’s Development Department, the minister noted that despite their critical roles, Local Governments face significant challenges in fulfilling their humanitarian mandates, in terms of inadequate funding, capacity constraints (human resource and technical expertise), infrastructure gaps and poor coordination and inclusion.
Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs called all humanitarian actors to work towards building resilience of communities hosting refugees.
“We understand that emergency response is not enough; therefore we need to build resilience by addressing the causes of vulnerability with long term development goals. This is crucial for communities to minimize risks but also respond to disasters. We champion approaches that prioritize the dignity and hope. We must allow refugees to access services and livelihoods. We are working to ensure that local actors are not just implementers but leaders in decision making processes.
We must work collaboratively to avoid duplication, optimize resource and ensure that interventions benefit those who need them the most,” said Minister Kabanda.
The #GrandBargain meeting in Uganda was under the theme: “Advancing Localization and Sustainable Humanitarian Impact through Quality Funding, Equitable and Accountable Partnerships.”
Factors that strengthen the localization agenda were highlighted as follows;
1. Empowering Local actors through Quality funding and anticipatory action
2. Collaboration with stakeholders to foster participation of the affected communities in addressing humanitarian needs.
3. Community and district engagements just like Uganda’s model of Refugee Engagement Forum that convenes relevant stakeholders in the nexus
4. Innovative Financing by establishing mechanisms that foster funding and resource allocation which enable cross sector collaboration, tailored to protracted crises.
5. Capacity building for local NGO & community groups through funding and supporting leadership and service delivery.
6. Policy framework and enabling environment- designing roles, responsibilities and mechanisms that ensure visibility, transparency and accountability of local responders.
Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghGhAPHS-VA