Kyaka II Refugee-led Organizations Network (KRLON-Community Development Network) is a dynamic, community-driven umbrella network and a legally registered entity.
It brings together a coalition of 36+RLOs, community-based organizations (CBOs) and over 400 community development groups operating across Kyaka II Refugee Settlement and host communities in Kyegegwa District, and 300 organizations under PARCEL Project across all refugee hosting districts and cities in Uganda.
Formed in response to the need for unified refugee-led action, KRLON coordinates, supports and strengthens grassroots organizations to meaningfully contribute to humanitarian response, sustainable development and policy influence. As a model of community leadership and refugee agency, KRLON amplifies local voices and ensures affected populations are at the center of decision-making processes.
It was created on February 01, 2022 by 15 founder community based organizations.
KRLON is now composed of 98 CBO members and 426 groups, making a total of 524.
Vision
A strong, inclusive and resilient refugee-led civil society network that protects rights, enhances self-reliance and transforms communities
Our Mission
To coordinate, empower and amplify the voices of refugee-led and community-based organizations, fostering inclusive development and accountable humanitarian action in Uganda.
Strategic objectives
To coordinate, strengthen, and amplify grassroots and refugee-led organizations across Uganda by enhancing collaboration, building institutional capacity, promoting advocacy and policy influence, and advancing community service and WASH initiatives that improve public health, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.
Expanded Coalition, Now uniting 36+RLOs/ CBOs and 400+ community development groups based on our data base.
Strategic Partnerships, Collaborating with UNHCR, OPM, Oxfam, ADRA, RELON Uganda,YARID,Amahoro coalition, World voice Uganda,GiveLove, Infocite consultancy ,Kyegegwa Local Government among others Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Office Infrastructure: Secured and operationalized an office through UNHCR support.
Digital Tools, Launched mobile-based data collection and coordination tools.
Capacity Strengthening, Delivered 20 trainings in leadership, proposal writing, and legal frameworks.
By pursuing these objectives, KRLON and its partners aim to enhance the effectiveness of local organizations, promote sustainable solutions, and improve the overall well-being and protection of forcibly displaced populations in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement.
We are advocating for meaningful engagement and partnerships
The Kyaka II Refugee-led Organizations Network (KRLON) is advocating for meaningful engagement and partnerships with organizations led by people affected by forced displacement, including refugee-led organizations (RLOs), organizations led by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), stateless people, and other community-based organizations (CBOs). They believe that these organizations have a deep understanding of the needs of their communities and are often the first to respond in humanitarian emergencies, providing protection and assistance.
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is committed to working with such organizations at the global, regional, and national levels to ensure their meaningful participation in decisions that affect them. This commitment is in line with the broader efforts of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society actors, as outlined in the commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016, which aim to empower national and local humanitarian action. The New York Declaration and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) also emphasize the importance of engaging directly with forcibly displaced persons themselves. The 2019 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) pledges further reinforce the need for meaningful engagement and partnerships.
Engaging with CBOs aligns with UNHCR’s community-based protection approach and its age, gender, and diversity policy (2018). UNHCR is committed to ensuring that the people they serve are at the center of decisions that affect their lives, and they strive to be accountable to affected individuals and communities.
In summary, KRLON and its partners are calling upon various stakeholders to recognize and support the meaningful engagement and partnerships with organizations led by people affected by forced displacement. They believe that these organizations possess valuable knowledge and expertise, and their participation is crucial in shaping decisions and actions related to humanitarian responses and protection for displaced populations.
