Uniting in Peace, COVID-19 Update

UNITING IN PEACE

A COVID-19 Update in Refugee Communities

“The constant, unwavering support we have had from SSLCD ever since we became refugees in 2014 has kept us motivated and hopeful even in the face of overwhelming challenges and enabled us to overcome what seemed insurmountable obstacles.”  

- Daniel Kuir Ajak, SSLCD Lead Organizer, Mungula and Olua Settlements, Uganda

Back in November, there were isolated conflicts between South Sudanese refugees and their Ugandan neighbors in the area around the Mungula and Olua settlements where SSLCD has been organizing.  The SSLCD leadership teams in both settlements immediately formed teams of peace builders from both communities tasked with preventing conflicts from escalating and causing violence.  As a result of their united efforts, no additional acts of violence occurred and relationships between refugees and Ugandans were solidified.

In January, refugee leaders met the SSLCD team and decided to make peace building their main goal and to share all resources equally with their Ugandan neighbors.  As spring planting began in February, additional funds provided by SSLCD in cooperation with the local Rotary Club in Duluth allowed them to double the acreage planted from the previous year.  Teams of Ugandans and refugees worked together doing the plowing and planting, with the commitment that harvested crops would be shared equally.  The field work continued unabated when COVID-19 came to Uganda and the borders were closed and all local transportation suspended.  In fact the work took on new urgency since it became clear that normal sources of food would likely be disrupted and the fall harvest from the local gardens might literally make the difference between life and death.

Just a few weeks ago in mid-May, a new crisis confronted the community. Additional refugees from South Sudan started sneaking past the closed border with Uganda to escape an uncontrolled outbreak of COVID- 19.  They came into the refugee camps, joining family members who were already there.

The peace building teams immediately recognized the danger of this situation, both from the possible spread of the virus and conflict among the two communities over allowing this potential source of infection into the community.  Initial efforts to isolate the new refugees were opposed by their family members who tried to hide them.  As fears grew that rumors might spread about the threat of COVID-19 in the community, the peace building teams came together and worked out a solution.  Neighborhood organizers began to monitor any new arrivals and immediately send them for testing to the health centers.  They were then required to stay isolated in their family compound for at least two weeks.  Neighbors committed to bring food and water to the family during their isolation so that they would not have to leave.  Although masks have not been widely available, SSLCD is providing materials and instructions to make masks for those in isolation.

Once again, the wisdom, foresight, and power of organized people have proven the best way to solve and prevent problems. Thank you for being part of SSLCD’s work, assisting the refugee leaders to do this organizing that is so essential for the survival of both refugees and local Ugandans.

John Musick, President