UNDP and KOICA project fosters unity, food security and empowers refugees and host communities Format Uganda’s open-door policy to refugees has seen the country host over 1.4 million refugees, largely from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, with many joining communities in Acholi and West-Nile sub-regions. Many refugees in Uganda live in extreme poverty, often leading to food insecurity and environmental degradation in host communities. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the resultant reduction in food rations in refugee settlements has amplified existing challenges. The ‘Uganda Host and Refugee Community Empowerment Project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is helping refugees and host communities sustain livelihoods and improve the well-being of refugees and host communities.