Nakivale : the WFP increases aid, but widens the gap between refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Nakivale, March 3, 2026

The World Food Program (WFP) has implemented a temporary increase in cash assistance for refugees in the Nakivale camp, Uganda. This increase covers the months of February and March 2026 and benefits approximately 60% of the camp’s residents. The measure has been welcomed by some but criticized by others.

According to humanitarian sources, the World Food Program (WFP) has increased the amounts allocated to three categories of beneficiaries : new arrivals, Category 1 refugees—considered more vulnerable—and Category 2 refugees, considered less vulnerable according to indicators from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

New arrivals will each receive 78,000 Uganda shillings. Category 1 refugees will receive 48,000 Uganda shillings per person, while Category 2 refugees will receive 24,000 Uganda shillings.

This revision follows a joint data update exercise conducted by the UNHCR and the WFP. According to the results of this census, a significant number of registered refugees are no longer in the camp, primarily due to the voluntary repatriation or departures to Ugandan urban centers.

“The WFP has therefore decided to redistribute the aid allocated to those who are absent, in favor of those still residing in the camp,” a source close to the matter revealed.

However, this measure only affects approximately 60% of the refugees in Nakivale. The remaining 40%, classified as having “mild vulnerability,” denounce this exclusion as unfair.

“We reject this categorization. Here, everyone is equally vulnerable. We are all refugees and have left everything behind. If the assistance increases, it should benefit everyone. Otherwise, it’s an injustice, a double standard,” reacted a Burundian refugee contacted by SOS Médias Burundi.

According to the latest available figures, the Nakivale camp shelters more than 150,000 refugees, including more than 31,000 Burundians.