IN the heart of Uganda’s challenging refugee landscapes, FC Barcelona is proving that a football club can be much more than just a sports team. A recent delegation led by the club’s Foundation and accompanied by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Alfonso Herrera has revealed the transformative power of sport in healing traumatised communities.
Uganda, currently hosting more than 1.8 million refugees from conflicts in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Sudan, has become a critical humanitarian focal point. With a staggering 450% increase in refugee arrivals from the DRC since January, the country desperately needs global attention and support.
Mexican actor Alfonso Herrera, walking alongside Dr. Marta Segú, Director of the Barça Foundation, witnessed firsthand the profound impact of their collaborative sports programs. “I have met young refugees who have experienced unimaginable loss,” Herrera shared, his voice reflecting both sorrow and hope. “Through sport, they have found more than just a game – they’ve discovered belonging, community, and a path to healing.”
Oruchinga refugee settlements in Uganda to highlight the power of sport for refugees. FC Barcelona Foundation/UNHCR
The delegation’s visit to the Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements unveiled a remarkable initiative. Since 2022, the FC Barcelona Foundation and UNHCR have been implementing a sports program that goes far beyond traditional humanitarian aid. More than 8,400 young refugees have already benefited from this innovative approach, finding safe spaces to play, learn, and gradually recover from the traumas of conflict.
Dr Segú emphasized the program’s holistic approach: “We’ve seen how sport can be a powerful tool for improving children’s lives, particularly for girls who often face additional challenges in refugee settings.”
The partnership’s visibility extends beyond ground-level initiatives. Barcelona’s men’s and women’s teams now proudly display the UNHCR logo on their jerseys – a symbolic gesture that transforms a global sports brand into a platform for raising awareness about displacement and humanitarian crises.
Despite the inspiring work, challenges remain stark. The current humanitarian appeal for Uganda’s refugee situation is only 46% funded, with a critical need for $857 million to support the growing refugee population.
As conflict continues to drive unprecedented global displacement, Barcelona FC demonstrates that sports organisations can play a pivotal role in humanitarian response – turning the beautiful game into a beacon of hope for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
