According to Uganda Refugee Statistics March 2022, Kyangwali Refugee Settlement is home to over 137,000 refugees and asylum seekers with about 81% of the population comprising women and children, and children between 0 to 11 years of age make up about 22% of the total population, their challenges are immense. Many of these children are orphans or unaccompanied minors, and all are living with parents or guardians who have suffered traumatic events in their countries of birth through civil war and the process of seeking asylum. Though they have found refuge in Uganda, fundamental rights for these children remain unmet. Humanitarian Services Action Organisation (HuSA) deliberately integrates child protection as a decisive sector in its strategies to address mental health disorders among children and their parents, while empowering them to achieve better mental health and improved well-being.
We train our Child Protection Agents to be the cornerstone of our efforts; equipping them with the latest knowledge and skills on child protection measures, and empowering them to identify and address child protection issues effectively. The Child Protection Agents (CPA) are stationed in schools and communities as the first line of defense providing attentive support and guidance.
Recognizing the power of children as advocates for their protection, we support child-led activities in schools and communities. These initiatives stimulate leadership and confidence among young people, enabling them to shape their environments and promote a culture of safety and mutual respect. We also conduct Life skills sessions for adolescents, advocacy and awareness-raising activities, and Training workshops for caregivers, teachers, and parents as another strategy component.
We seek support for establishing Child Play Centers as part of our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions. These centers will offer safe spaces where children can engage in structured recreational activities and receive the necessary psychosocial support.