IMPACT OF FUNDING CUTS – on refugees with disabilities in Kyaka II refugee settlement

Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Kyegegwa District — A newly released report by the Association of Refugees with Disabilities (ARD) has brought renewed attention to the disproportionate impact of humanitarian funding cuts on refugees with disabilities, highlighting a widening gap between service availability and actual access.
Titled “Impact of Funding Cuts on Refugees with Disabilities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement”, the report presents evidence from a household survey and key informant interviews, revealing systemic reductions across essential sectors, including food assistance, healthcare, education, WASH, and protection services.
The findings indicate that while services continue to exist within the settlement, their accessibility has significantly declined, particularly for refugees with disabilities. Reduced transport support, limited availability of assistive devices, declining outreach services, and staffing constraints have collectively made it increasingly difficult for vulnerable populations to access critical assistance.
According to the report, a substantial proportion of households are experiencing worsening food insecurity, with many reducing daily meals. Access to healthcare has also deteriorated, with most respondents reporting difficulty in obtaining essential services, including treatment for chronic conditions and rehabilitation support.
The report further highlights emerging protection concerns, including increased perceptions of insecurity, heightened psychosocial stress, and the adoption of negative coping mechanisms such as borrowing, asset depletion, and school withdrawal among children with disabilities.
Importantly, the findings underscore that funding reductions have not affected all populations equally. Refugees with disabilities, who often rely on additional support systems to access services, are facing compounded challenges as these enabling mechanisms are scaled back.
Stakeholders interviewed in the assessment emphasized that interventions such as outreach services, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and transport support are not supplementary, but essential components of inclusive humanitarian response.
The report calls for urgent, coordinated action from government, donors, and humanitarian partners to prioritise disability-inclusive programming, protect essential services, and ensure that resource constraints do not further marginalise already at-risk populations.
A complementary video documenting lived experiences within the settlement provides additional context to the report’s findings and amplifies the voices of affected individuals.
🎥 Watch here:
https://youtu.be/9cvyV5JB1b4?si=lhWnEM4abbQODF3d
For a comprehensive analysis, including detailed data, sector-specific findings, and evidence-based recommendations, readers are encouraged to consult the full publication:
“Impact of Funding Cuts on Refugees with Disabilities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement”
📄 The complete report is available for download in PDF format.