Abstract
The history of the heavy presence of South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda dates way back to 1955 when the first group of refugees came to Uganda. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functionality of humanitarian aid principles in addressing the refugee question in the settlements. We adopted a cross-sectional study design and used a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected using structured questionnaires with 203 household heads and an interview guide with 7 officials from humanitarian aid agencies and Adjumani District Local Government. Results show moderate to low adherence to humanitarian aid principles as observed by principles of humanity (mean = 3.3, SD = 0.67), impartiality (mean = 3.0, SD = 0.52), independence (mean = 2.2, SD = 0.53), and neutrality (mean = 1.6, SD = 0.58). Correlation analysis shows a significant positive relationship between the principles of humanity; impartiality; and neutrality with the conditions for refugee settlement (r = 0.262, p < 0.01; r = 0.452, p < 0.01; r = 0.268, p < 0.01) respectively, but the principle of independence has no statistically significant relationship with the conditions for refugee settlement, the relationship measured at 95% level of confidence. The multivariable test for association shows a significant positive effect between adherence to the principles of impartiality (β = 0.272, p < 0.01), neutrality (β = 0.168, p < 0.01), and level of education with positive perception in the conditions for refugee settlement. While the number of years spent in the refugee settlement has a negative effect on the perceived condition in refugee settlement (β = − 0.061, p < 0.05). Refugees need to have a positive attitude towards the services delivered by the humanitarian aid agencies. Refugees through their leadership should be supported to advocate and demand inclusion in the decision-making process for projects that affect them and to hold the aid agencies accountable in the implementation of the projects in the settlements.