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<p>Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DFID has worked with partners like the
United Nations World Food Programme to ensure continuity of life-saving services,
such as the delivery of food assistance, to the population of Bidibidi, Uganda’s largest
refugee settlement. Additionally, we have supported specific programmes in Bidibidi
through Mercy Corps, an International Non-Governmental Organisation, including:</p><p>•
a campaign - through public address systems, bulk text messages, posters, song and
radio – to raise awareness about prevention of the virus, focused on community “hot
spots” including shops, bill boards, markets, water points, and food distribution
points;</p><p>• payments in vouchers or via mobile money to more than 1,850 farmers
(57% of whom were women) to purchase high quality seeds from local dealers to ensure
they did not miss the planting season; and</p><p>• support to small businesses to
continue, providing access to basic hygiene supplies, agricultural inputs, and mobile
money services. The local dealers that were selected to support the seed distribution
referred to above received business development training on topics including business
plan development, marketing and record keeping, as well as cash grants to strengthen
their business.</p><p>As the pandemic continues to evolve, we are closely monitoring
the situation across Uganda, including in the refugee settlements, and prioritising
our support accordingly.</p>
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