The Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project, implemented under the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), is registering tangible impact in refugee-hosting districts across Uganda through a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing firewood to vulnerable refugees.
The intervention is being implemented in several refugee-hosting districts including Adjumani, Lamwo, Terego, Madi Okollo, Yumbe, Koboko, Moyo/Obongi, Kiryandongo, Kikuube, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge, where thousands of refugees continue to face challenges in accessing reliable cooking fuel.
During a recent field assessment in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube District, officials from key implementing institutions including the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) evaluated progress on fuelwood supply and distribution activities under the project.
The IFPA-CD Project, funded by the World Bank, is the first initiative of its kind in Uganda designed to supply firewood specifically to Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs) within refugee settlements. The approach not only addresses the humanitarian energy crisis but also helps reduce pressure on nearby forests.
Supporting the Most Vulnerable
One of the contracted partners, Dreams of Success Initiative Uganda, is responsible for distributing firewood in Kwagali Refugee Settlement in Kagadi District under a contract with the Ministry of Water and Environment.
According to Kirabo Charity, Country Director of Dreams of Success Initiative Uganda, the organization is tasked with distributing firewood to 15,252 vulnerable refugees, each receiving one cubic metre of firewood for the previous year, and an additional 8,389 cubic metres planned for distribution in 2026.
Kirabo explains that the program began with verification of the beneficiaries and identification of distribution points across the settlement.
“So far, we have verified 15,252 persons with specific needs and established distribution sites. Out of the planned allocations, 6,344 cubic metres of firewood have already been distributed to the beneficiaries,” she said.
She notes that before the intervention many refugee families struggled to secure cooking fuel, often leading to skipped meals.
“Many refugees in Kwagali have been missing meals due to lack of firewood. This support is therefore very critical in helping them prepare food and improve their wellbeing,” she added.
Creating Jobs Within Refugee Communities
Beyond providing energy for cooking, the initiative is also creating livelihood opportunities within refugee settlements.
A total of 116 people have been employed as firewood stackers and unstackers, working across 29 villages in Kwagali Settlement. Each village has four stackers responsible for managing distribution points.
Out of the 116 workers, 96 are refugees and 20 are nationals, with 80 men and 36 women benefiting from employment opportunities created by the program.
Relief for Vulnerable Families
According to Jacob Ochen, a Field Fuelwood Monitor, the project has significantly improved the lives of vulnerable refugee households.
“Previously, many children missed school because they had to walk long distances to collect firewood from nearby forests. Many PSNs are elderly or sick and could not manage such work. This intervention has brought great relief,” Ochen said.
Several refugee beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the firewood distribution has eased daily hardships and reduced conflicts over scarce natural resources.
Reducing Pressure on Forests
The IFPA-CD project also supports the purchase of firewood from Ugandan landowners, creating a market for farm forestry while protecting natural forests.
Through this system, service providers procure firewood and transport it to refugee settlements, while another set of providers manages storage, verifies quantities and ensures fair distribution to the identified vulnerable households.
Officials say this approach stimulates farm forestry development, provides an energy lifeline to the most vulnerable refugees, and reduces pressure on surrounding forest reserves.
As the program expands across multiple refugee-hosting districts, the IFPA-CD project is increasingly being recognized as a model intervention that combines humanitarian support, environmental conservation, and livelihood creation.