John Jal Dak heads the Youth Social Advocacy Team (YSAT). He resides in Agulupi Village, Ocea Zone, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda. He was part of the refugees that fled South Sudan war in 2014. He started Humanitarian work in 2014 as a community site supervisor with Oxfam. he has done humanitarian response in four refugee settlements of Rhino Camp, Imvepi, Bidi Bidi, Lobule and Kiryandongo.

Since childhood, I was exposed to conflicts during the civil war of the then Sudan and disconnected from my parents for over 14 years. I studied under trees, sometimes missed school, lost my parents, and has always hoped that one day I can have the power to stop the wars.

When I became a refugee in Uganda, I realized I can’t stop the wars, But I can promote non-violence, contribute to transforming violent conflicts and providing access to alternative learning pathways by working with younger generation at the grassroots that in future will have the power to transform their lives and that of their nations.

My passion is to provide education to displaced children who couldn’t afford it, to promote social cohesion, and promote agency and recovery for displaced people.

As a peace loving young leader, the reduction in violent conflicts amongst refugees and between the host communities makes me feel that our people are beginning to embrace social cohesion and non-violent conflict resolution.

When young people have access to education after primary, I feel fulfilled because education is a powerful tool that will change their lives and that of their communities.  When young people open up businesses and earn income, have the power to decide and have a choice for who they want to become, they can hardly be manipulated.

Humanitarian work has positively impacted lives in the settlements where we work like increased access to green skills for youth, access to educational services from pre-primary to secondary, increased health care services, increased livelihoods services, access to live saving assistance in terms of food, health and information, reduced occurrences of violent conflicts and access to protection services for youth, men, children and women.

More new arrivals are coming in daily and the refugees in category 3 who are faced out of food assistance needs more livelihoods interventions, more education services especially secondary and university, robust protection of environment and increase tree planting to avert the effects of climate change. Increase access to land acquisition by refugees for farming and increase protection services.

Humanitarian workers sacrifice their lives to save the lives of others. The forcibly displaced aren’t folding their hands too, we are using our skills, knowledge, and experiences to save lives of our fellow refugees. 

As a refugee, I am driven by compassion, empathy, and a sense of social responsibility to help those displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. The immense challenges and suffering displaced individuals and refugees, including myself, face and feel compelled me to take action.

I request the world to stand in solidarity with all displaced people especially humanitarians who have committed to serve humanity, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat, we will be there to serve.

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