With 1.6 million displaced persons settled within its borders, Uganda is the global gold standard for refugee resettlement.
Alight, an organization dedicated to humanitarian aid, has been operating in Uganda for 30 years. Natalie Kawesa-Newell is Head of Programs in Uganda. She has dark curly hair, an accent from just south of London, and a warm, unassuming presence that belies her 18 years of in-country experience.
She explains the process for someone seeking refuge: “When they first come in… there's a transit center, then they will be then shifted from the transit center to a refugee settlement. And when you enter the settlement, basically the refugees are living side by side with the host community members. And you won't see tents. People are supported off a piece of land, they’re given IDs, they're very mobile, they're able to start businesses and able to access services.
