One of the top United Nations humanitarian official witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern Uganda, some of whom are still in camps, three years after the end of the fighting with the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army, reports AllAfrica. Under-Secretary General for humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes said “Humanitarian, recovery and development actors must redouble their commitment to working with the Government and people of Uganda to help the most vulnerable members of the displaced population return to their homes, and to ensure that those who have already returned have the basic services they need.” About 85 per cent of the camp population across the Acholi region have returned to their original homes, “however some areas still lack the basics of clean water and access to health and educational facilities, to make returns fully sustainable,” he added. Mr. Holmes will attend the African Union (AU) Special Summit on Refugees, Returnees and IDPs during his four-day visit to Uganda.
