Helping Refugees Boosts Local Economies- WFP Report

By Benjamin Jumbe

A new study conducted in Uganda has found that humanitarian assistance for refugees creates significant economic benefits for the local economy.

The study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis and the United Nations World Food Programme also indicates that these benefits are greater when the assistance is in the form of cash transfers and land for agricultural production.

Announcing the findings lead researcher Prof Edward Taylor said refugees benefit those countries that welcome them and give them what they need to build new lives noting that the assistance given to the refugees produces an ‘income multiplier’ for host communities as he explains.

Meanwhile WFP Deputy Country Director Cheryl Harrison says this is the first time that the economic impact of Ugandan’s generous approach to providing agricultural land to refugees is calculated.

Data was collected through hundreds of surveys in and around the Adjumani and Rwamwanja refugee settlements.

Written by Reporter