Kampala, Uganda, 13 April 2026 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with Medical Teams International (MTI), received support from the European Union to strengthen epidemic preparedness and response in refugee-hosting districts across Uganda, helping health structures and communities respond more quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks in densely populated and other vulnerable areas.
Uganda hosts nearly two million refugees, one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Many arrive after fleeing conflict in neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. At the same time, climate-driven shocks and recurring disease outbreaks are placing growing pressure on already stretched health systems, particularly in districts hosting large refugee populations.
Since May 2025, the EU-supported initiative has been operating across 15 districts and 34 sites in Uganda’s southwest, western, and West Nile/Acholi regions, focusing on district-led approaches to strengthen local health systems and communities to detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The project supports both refugees and host communities, reaching nearly 150,000 people through improved preparedness, surveillance, and coordinated response to potential epidemics. By strengthening district-level systems and coordination with Uganda’s Ministry of Health and local authorities, the initiative aims to ensure communities are better prepared to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.
Through training and technical support, frontline health workers and community health volunteers are improving disease monitoring and early warning systems. District authorities are also updating emergency preparedness plans for outbreaks such as cholera, Mpox, and measles, ensuring that local systems can respond quickly when health threats emerge.
The initiative also strengthens community-based surveillance through Village Health Teams and promotes collaboration between human and animal health systems, recognising that many disease outbreaks originate at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.
Elijah Okeyo, IRC Uganda Country Director, said:
“Uganda has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in welcoming people fleeing conflict. But refugee-hosting districts are under immense pressure as new arrivals continue, even as communities face climate shocks and recurring disease outbreaks, all against the backdrop of the significant funding gaps in the humanitarian sector. This support from the European Union is strengthening local systems so that outbreaks can be detected earlier and responded to faster, protecting both refugees and the communities hosting them. Investing in preparedness today is essential to prevent small health threats from becoming large-scale crises tomorrow.”
By placing district authorities at the centre of preparedness and response planning, the initiative aims to ensure long-term sustainability and stronger local ownership of epidemic response systems.
As refugee arrivals continue and climate-related health risks increase across the region, strengthening local preparedness remains critical to protecting vulnerable communities and preventing future health emergencies.
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.