Uganda Refugee and Disaster Management Council

Protecting Lives. Promoting Dignity. Building Resilience.

About URDMC
The organization was founded in 2012 by former employees of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) with the aim of protecting and promoting rights of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons. URDMC is formal registered as Number 11383 under the “The Non-Government Organization’s Registration Act, CAP.113. URDMC promotes and protects the rights of people who have been forced to flee their countries, or their homes within their countries. 

URDMC is among the very few organisations that specializes, recognizes and complements the role of Government in its pursuance to Protection of the refugee’s community and internally displaced persons.

Vision: To be the leading organization in the protection of refugee rights and people affected by conflicts and disasters.

Mission: To promote and protect the rights of displaced individuals regardless of race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation.
Objective: A peaceful, gender- and climate-just society through human rights, peaceful co-existence, food security, education, climate justice, and economic development.


Where We Work
URDMC has strong operational presence in Acholi and West Nile region in Northern Uganda since 2012. In 2024,URDMC explore expansion to Mid North and South Western Uganda delivering both humanitarian and developmentinterventions. The current districts of operation are; Lamwo, Adjumani, Yumbe, Terego, Madi Okollo, Koboko, Kiryandongoand Kyegegwa with Arua City as the Head Office. 

The targeted refugee settlements, reception centres, transit centres andcollection points include; Palabek, Lokung, Nyumanzi, Goboro, Kerwa, Kuluba, Imvepi, Omugo Rhino Camp extension,Ocea, Kiryandongo and Kyaka II.

Head Office: Arua City

Registered Office: Gulu City

Our Services 

Emergency Relief

URDMC has a proven track record in frontline humanitarian action, supporting refugee and internally displaced populations at key points of entry and settlement. Capabilities: Management of Reception, Transit, and Collection Centres: Operating frontline infrastructure to register, receive, and refer newly arrived refugees, in collaboration with UNHCR, OPM, and local authorities. Hot Meal Provisioning: Coordination and delivery of lifesaving hot meals at border and reception sites, ensuring minimum nutritional standards during initial arrival. Rapid Protection Assessments and Referrals: Conducting triage and vulnerability screenings for at-risk individuals, including unaccompanied minors, women at risk, and persons with disabilities. Results: Successfully managed multi-agency reception operations in Ocea, Imvepi, and Kiryandongo. Reached over 25,000 individuals with emergency food and protection support during key displacement periods.

Protection Services

URDMC has over 7 years in offering protection services with a set of dedicated staff with required expertise in the field of Child protection (CP), Gender Based Violence (GBV), Community Based Protection (CBP), Mental Health and Psychosocial support services (MHPSS). URDMC specializes in community-based protection with technical expertise in GBV, Child Protection, and MHPSS, supporting the most vulnerable within refugee settlements and host communities. Areas of Expertise: Child Protection (CP): Case management, alternative care arrangements, and life skills programming for separated and unaccompanied children. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response: Survivor-centered support including safe spaces, referral pathways, and awareness campaigns. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): Community-based models offering group counseling, trauma healing, and psychosocial first aid. Community-Based Protection (CBP): Mobilizing refugee leadership, community watch groups, and participatory protection planning. Results: Delivered protection services across 6 refugee settlements reaching 80,000+ individuals. Over 300 GBV survivors supported with case management and referral to specialized services.

Livelihoods & Resilience

Through our Livelihoods & Resilience service, we provide resources and tools to help people develop skills, access financial services, and create opportunities for income generation.URDMC adopts a multisectoral approach to enhance food security, income generation, and economic resilience among refugees and host communities. Key Interventions: On-Farm: Agricultural production, climate-smart agronomy, and access to inputs. Off-Farm: Skills training, business development services, and access to microfinance (VSLA, IGAs). Non-Farm: Vocational and technical skills development tailored to market demand (e.g., tailoring, welding, carpentry). Youth Skilling & Self-Reliance: Programs tailored to youth in displacement settings, combining skills, mentorship, and seed capital. Results: Supported over 2,000 youth and women in West Nile and Acholi sub-regions with income-generating opportunities. Strengthened 60+ VSLA groups, enabling financial inclusion and economic agency.

Environment & Energy

URDMC integrates environmental sustainability into its humanitarian response, recognizing the environmental stress that displacement places on host communities. Programmatic Areas: Afforestation and Reforestation: Tree planting campaigns in and around refugee settlements and degraded host community areas. Clean Energy Solutions: Promotion of energy-saving stoves at household and institutional levels to reduce deforestation. Environmental Education: Community-led awareness and youth mobilization on climate adaptation and natural resource management. Results: Planted over 30,000 trees across three districts as part of a reforestation initiative. Distributed over 2,500 fuel-efficient stoves to vulnerable households.

Active Projects
STEPS Project | Emergency Protection – Lamwo, KiryandongoLEAP II | Women’s Economic Empowerment

NFI Distribution & Centre Management | Kiryandongo, Adjumani, 

Lamwo Planetary Health Research | Bidibidi
Our Partners
URDMC has worked with leading international and regional donors:

OXFAM DANIDA SP2 Project

LWF Twinning Fund

UN WOMEN

UNHCR

ECHO- STEPS ​PROJECT

War Child Alliance 

University of Toronto (VIIV)

Our Team

Okello Jimmy Lukone

Executive Director

Okello Jimmy Lukone holds the esteemed position of Executive Director, where he oversees the organization's operations and strategic direction. With his visionary leadership, Jimmy ensures that all initiatives align with the company's mission and values, driving growth and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Susan Atai Flavia

Human Resource Manager

Susan Atia Flavia is the Human Resource Manager responsible for overseeing the recruitment, training, and development of our staff. With her extensive knowledge in HR best practices, Susan ensures our workplace remains compliant and fosters a positive and productive environment.

Kennedy Orach

Project Coordinator

As a Project Coordinator, Kennedy Orach plays a pivotal role in coordinating tasks and resources. Kennedy's strong communication abilities and proactive approach help in mitigating risks and resolving issues promptly, ensuring the success of each project.

Simon Odong

Field Coordinator

Simon serves as the Field Coordinator for our team. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, Simon ensures that all field operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Contact

  • Gulu, Uganda
  •  Mon-Fri - 08:00-5:00

Contact Us Executive Director: Okello Jimmy Lukone 📧 okellolukone@yahoo.com 📧 ugandanrefugeecouncil@gmail.com 📞 (+256) 777 204199 🌐 www.urdmc.org 📍 Head Office: Awindri - Onzivu Rd, Arua, Uganda 📍 Registered Office: Plot 1, Samuel Doe Rd, Gulu City

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