On June 23, 2024, a critical feedback session was held at the KRLON office in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, focusing on the themes of localization and disability mainstreaming in humanitarian action. This session brought together 22 participants, including representatives from Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The aim was to address the importance of empowering local actors and ensuring inclusivity for persons with disabilities in humanitarian efforts.
Localization in Humanitarian Action
Localization involves empowering local actors and communities to lead humanitarian responses, ensuring that these efforts are more relevant, effective, and sustainable. During the session, the introduction of the Uganda Refugee Response Monitoring System (URRMS) by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) was highlighted. This system aims to enhance transparency and coordination among humanitarian efforts in Uganda by monitoring activities and implementation.
Challenges Identified:
- Limited funding and resources for local organizations.
- Insufficient capacity-building initiatives.
- Bureaucratic barriers and lack of inclusion in decision-making processes.
Recommendations for Enhancing Localization:
- Increase direct funding to local organizations.
- Develop and implement capacity-building programs tailored to local needs.
- Foster partnerships between international and local actors to ensure meaningful inclusion.
Disability Mainstreaming in Humanitarian Action
Disability mainstreaming integrates disability considerations into all aspects of humanitarian action to ensure accessibility and inclusivity. While some progress has been made, the session noted that disability mainstreaming is often inconsistent and not fully integrated into all programs.
Challenges Identified:
- Lack of awareness and training on disability issues.
- Inadequate disaggregated data collection and needs assessment for persons with disabilities.
- Physical and communication barriers limiting inclusive participation.
Recommendations for Strengthening Disability Mainstreaming:
- Conduct regular training sessions on disability inclusion for all humanitarian staff.
- Implement systematic data collection and needs assessments to better understand and address the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Ensure all facilities and communication methods are accessible to people with disabilities.
Improving Information Dissemination
Effective communication is crucial for the success of humanitarian actions. The session covered 20.5% of information dissemination related to localization and disability mainstreaming, highlighting the need for diverse communication methods to reach all community segments.
Recommendations for Improving Information Dissemination:
- Use a variety of communication methods, including community meetings, social media, and radio.
- Engage community leaders and persons with disabilities in the planning and dissemination processes.
- Develop multilingual and easy-to-understand materials to overcome language and literacy barriers.
The feedback session underscored the importance of a more localized approach in humanitarian action and better integration of disability considerations. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the recommended actions, humanitarian efforts can become more effective and inclusive.
For more detailed information, please refer to the full report attached below.
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