Shelters provide a sense of normalcy for refugees

CLWR has been providing shelters for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda since 2015
Read the full article on CLWR’s website.

May 31, 2017
By Ellen Paulley, Communications Manager for Canadian Lutheran World Relief

It took 12 days for Malang Arok Akol to travel from her home in Jonglei state, South Sudan, to Adjumani, Uganda. When she arrived earlier this year, she reconnected with family members who had previously sought refuge in Uganda. Now, the grandmother of 12 lives with her grandchildren on the 30 x 30 metre plot that the Ugandan government provides for refugees.

Three tukuls—round houses—stand on the family’s homestead, two of which were built with support from CLWR in partnership with Lutheran World Federation Uganda. The tukuls are deeply appreciated by the family. When some of the children first arrived in 2014, they spent a week and a half sleeping outside under the trees.

“Life was terrible—it was not good, because when we were under the trees, there was nowhere to stay in when it rains,” says 12-year-old Ajok Akoi. “Now we have shelter; our lives have changed. Now we don’t get rained on and life is normal.”

Shelter is a primary concern for many South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, particularly for those who are unable to construct their own homes for a variety of reasons. With support from Canadians and funding from the Government of Canada, CLWR has been providing housing for people with specific needs, such as child- or elder-headed households, among others, since 2015.