Nakivale (Uganda) : Albino refugees threatened by the scorching sun

Climate change threatens the lives of albinos in Nakivale camp in Uganda. Many of them suffer from critical skin lesions following the burning sun. They are sounding the alarm. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Refugees suffering from albinism in Nakivale camp in Uganda are calling for emergency help. Many of them have skin lesions that have turned into open wounds.

“Everyone has this problem that threatens their skin. They are really pitiful to see. Their skin is bleeding,” says a local leader in Nakivale camp.

The reason for the worsening health situation
of albino refugees is due to the extension of the dry season, accompanied by very high temperatures, particularly in this region located in the southwest of the capital Kampala.

Consequences

“They no longer leave their homes while they should be doing daily work to earn a living, their children no longer go to school, the risk of skin cancer is high, …”, explains a community leader.

And since misfortune never comes alone, the WFP (World Food Program) has suspended emergency aid intended for the most vulnerable, including albinos.
The measure is a consequence of the decision of the American Administration to suspend external aid from which the WFP is in principle a beneficiary.

Representatives of albinos based in the Nakivale camp have contacted the president of the camp and are calling for help. The albino community of Nakivale wants to be taken care of, receive creams and hats to protect their skin, and be supplied with water because albinos cannot last long on a tap in a camp where water has become a very rare commodity.

The camp administration and humanitarian NGOs have not promised anything. The camp has nearly thirty albino families.

Nakivale hosts more than 140,000 refugees, including more than 33,000 Burundians.