When Janvier Mbyariyehe, 56, crossed the border into Uganda from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his body was bruised, his spirit broken, and his hope nearly extinguished. The journey had been long, risky, and filled with fear. But what greeted him was not more chaos, it was compassion.
“The Uganda Red Cross Society [URCS] was the first face of kindness we saw when we arrived,” Janvier recalls, emotion evident in his voice. “They gave us water, helped us find our way around, and treated my injury with free first aid. They made us feel human again.”
The URCS, is at the heart of the emergency response, not just responding, but restoring hope. For many like Janvier, URCS volunteers are the first welcoming touch after weeks of hardship. With a calm voice and outstretched hand, these volunteers are offering more than supplies; they’re offering dignity.
At the Bunagana Point of Entry and Nyakabande Transit Centre, URCS deployed trained volunteers to assist with manual registration, first aid, psychosocial support, and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) services. URCS has installed a 200 capacity pre-fab tent to aid reception of massive numbers of asylum seekers.
“Our volunteers are not just workers. They are a symbol of hope for people like Janvier, who have lost everything,” says Frank Namara, Emergency Response Manager at URCS.
When Janvier arrived with an injury, it was URCS first aid responders who cleaned and dressed the wound. He was then guided to a shaded rest area, offered clean drinking water, and directed through the registration process.
This seamless chain of support is powered by URCS’s coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and partners including the ICRC, IFRC, and the PPP ECHO Consortium.
Beyond first aid, URCS is providing critical disease screening, with over 9,400 individuals screened to prevent the spread of illnesses such as Monkeypox. Meanwhile, the WASH team is working tirelessly to empty latrines, distribute soap, and install water tanks, averting a secondary public health crisis.
Recognizing the specific needs of women, URCS is preparing to distribute Menstrual Hygiene Management kits, ensuring that displaced women do not suffer in silence.
Janvier’s story is one of many, but his experience captures the essence of the Uganda Red Cross response. It’s not just about relief — it’s about restoration.
Through the Restoring Family Links program, URCS has helped hundreds of refugees reconnect with loved ones across Uganda and beyond.
The program helped 608 people reconnect with loved ones, including calls to family in DRC, Canada, America, and other refugee settlements within Uganda.
“When I heard my sister’s voice for the first time in months, I cried tears of joy. Uganda Red Cross helped me find my family again,” shared Denise, a refugee mother of three.
Volunteers also registered 38 unaccompanied children, offering hope of reunification, and conducted six referrals for additional support, two of which were successfully connected to partner agencies.
“When people arrive at the border, they carry more than luggage. They carry trauma, confusion, fear,” says Namara. “We meet them with compassion, structure, and a chance to begin again.”
The Work Continues
As more people continue to arrive, URCS is scaling up efforts, including:
- Deploying more family tracing volunteers
- Installing emergency shelters
- Distributing hygiene materials
- Continuing disease surveillance and psychosocial support
For Janvier and thousands like him, Uganda Red Cross volunteers have done more than provide services. They’ve offered a lifeline and, most importantly, reminded them of their humanity.
“When everything else is gone, a kind face can save you,” Janvier says softly. “The Red Cross gave us that.”