FC Barcelona Foundation and Alfonso Herrera visit refugee settlements in Uganda supporting the work of UNHCR

The FC Barcelona Foundation and UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, have conducted a week-long visit to the Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements in Uganda. This visit is part of the collaboration agreement between FC Barcelona and UNHCR, signed in 2022, and included the special collaboration of Mexican actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Alfonso Herrera, who joined the delegation with the Director of the Barça Foundation, Dr. Marta Segú. Alfonso Herrera joined the Barça Foundation to highlight the power of sport for refugees in Uganda.

Uganda hosts more refugees than any other country in Africa and is home to more than 1.8 million people who have been forced to flee South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan, among others. Since January, more than 30,000 people have arrived through multiple border points from the DRC, an increase of 450 per cent compared to the same period last year. More than ever, refugee-hosting countries such as Uganda need urgent support to continue to generously welcome those who have arrived from the DRC. Donors have contributed only 46 per cent of the $857 million appeal for the 2024-25 refugee situation in Uganda.

Alfonso Herrera explained, “I have met many young refugees who have experienced loss and are facing challenges related to mental health. Through sport, they have found belonging and community. I have been touched by the incredible impact that sport can have on the lives of refugees.”

The actor met with refugees from the DRC and Sudan. “Every day, people arrive in Uganda. Many arrive malnourished, sick and carrying the horrors of war. Most are women and children.”

FC Barcelona Foundation Director, Marta Segú, stated, “Visiting this joint programme in Uganda, after two years of implementation, we have seen the positive impact of sport as a tool to improve the lives of children and youth. Through sport, we could also see the benefits for the well-being of the girls.”

They visited projects in the Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements funded by the Barça Foundation, as part of its efforts to support UNHCR and refugees around the world.

The project in Uganda is part of a partnership between UNHCR, its national association in Spain (ACNUR Comité español), FC Barcelona and the FC Barcelona Foundation. Launched in 2022, the partnership supports sports initiatives for refugee children and youth on four continents, in countries including Uganda, El Salvador, Türkiye and Malaysia.

The project in Uganda specifically supports refugee youth and host communities. More than 8,400 young people have benefited from this sports programme so far, which offers a safe space to play, learn and heal.

The partnership between UNHCR and FC Barcelona, which is made visible with the first men's and women’s soccer team's jersey bearing the humanitarian organization's logo on the back, also aims to raise awareness among soccer fans around the world and inspire the wider sporting community to support people displaced by conflict.

Photos from the visit available here

For more information on this topic, please contact:

• FC Barcelona and the FC Barcelona Foundation: Xavier Vila Martinez, xavier.vila@fcbarcelona.cat 
• ACNUR Comité español: Amaia Celorrio, acelorrio@eacnur.org  
• UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Team in London: Colin Kampschoer, kampscho@unhcr.org
• UNHCR in Geneva: Mel Paramasivan, paramasi@unchr.org

Notes to editors

The FC Barcelona Foundation

The Barça Foundation was launched in 1994 to support the children and youth of the most vulnerable social groups through sport and education in values, with the objective of contributing to a more just and inclusive society. The Barça Foundation frames its activities within the UN programmes Sport for Development and Sustainable Development Goals. 

The main action lines are educational access and support, violence prevention and conflict resolution in childhood and youth and combatting social exclusion and discrimination. Today, the Foundation reaches to more than 460,000 beneficiaries around the world. 

UNHCR  

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving assistance such as shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home. We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions of people. 

ACNUR Comité español  

ACNUR Comité español is a non-governmental organization, created in 1993, declared of Public Utility, proud to have more than 500,000 regular members and donors. España con ACNUR raises funds to meet the needs of the most vulnerable refugees and displaced people, supporting UNHCR's humanitarian aid programmes around the world.