Gov't, NGOs Push for 25% Localization of Humanitarian Response Program

The Office of the Prime Minister together with local non-governmental organizations under the NGO Forum, are advocating for at least 25% of humanitarian aid to be directly focused on supporting leadership, delivery, and capacity development of local responders. 

This initiative is part of the Grand Bargain strategy, which aims to place more resources in the hands of those in need and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action.

This arrangement is part of broader efforts to address the global humanitarian funding gap, expand resource availability, and reduce needs. In 2015, Uganda received a total of USD 166 million in humanitarian aid, but only 11% reached local and national humanitarian actors. 

In 2016, only 13% of USD 319.3 million reached local actors, while the percentage dropped to 8% in 2017. This demand is tied to the quality funding pillar of the Grand Bargain initiative.

At the inaugural country annual Grand Bargain meeting for Uganda, under the theme "Advancing Localization and Sustainable Humanitarian Impact through Quality Funding and Equitable Partnerships," Rukia Nakadaama, the third deputy prime minister who was represented by Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs), emphasized the urgent need for localizing humanitarian aid. She noted that Uganda's open-door policy to refugees and its vulnerability to natural disasters make localization crucial.

"Uganda remains a global model in hosting refugees and supporting disaster-affected communities. The country continues to prioritize localization and long-term recovery in its humanitarian policy framework," she said.

Nakadaama highlighted Uganda’s robust humanitarian policies, including the National Disaster Risk Management Policy and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, which empower local actors to take ownership in managing crises. "Our government has placed localization at the heart of our humanitarian response strategies," she added, stressing the importance of local leadership in decision-making and resilience-building efforts.

The Grand Bargain meeting aims to further dialogue and action on strengthening localization and equitable partnerships in humanitarian responses across Uganda and the globe.

During the meeting, Lillian Aber, the state minister for disaster preparedness and refugees, revealed that Uganda's refugee population has risen to 1.7 million.

However, funding levels have decreased to the point of food shortages. She suggested that localizing aid could help address these challenges.

Aber noted that local and national NGOs have developed the capacity to respond effectively, making the use of foreign expatriates unnecessary. She argued that expatriates, who often lack an understanding of the social context of affected communities, compromise the sustainability of responses when they return to their home countries.

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On behalf of local and national humanitarian actors, Joyce Julian Acoko expressed gratitude for the collective focus of humanitarian actors, government, and donors on a common objective. She stressed that the 25% localization target must become a reality.

Acoko emphasized that the true essence of humanitarian aid lies in creating lasting impacts for the people it serves. Without achieving this, humanitarian efforts are in vain. She further explained that local actors have not been given enough opportunity to participate in responses, urging international NGOs to overcome their fear of losing power and authority, and instead focus on the needs of humanity.

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According to Acoko, the lack of localization has negatively affected potentially meaningful interventions. She gave the example of women empowerment programs, which have had unintended societal consequences due to the absence of community context and local involvement.

Moses Isooba, Executive Director of the National NGO Forum, said that the design of interventions without local participation undermines ownership. He urged that this must stop to ensure sustainability.

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Miyuki Sato, Country Director for Save the Children, supported the move towards localization, stating that it would strengthen partnerships and create a lasting impact. She noted that Save the Children has localized 14% of its interventions but acknowledged that more progress is needed. "We have to move from transactional to strategic, through co-designing with local partners and capacity building," she said.