Although COVID-19 prevention measures played an important role in containing the pandemic, they had unintended consequences especially among vulnerable populations. This formative research sought to explore the impact of COVID-19 on women and youth in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement (NRS), Uganda. In this mixed-methods study, we administered surveys to 258 women and youth aged 15–35 years from NRS to capture data including food insecurity, asset index, financial support and social support. We conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 40 purposively selected participants composed of women, youth and leaders. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed using STATA 13. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported severe food insecurity (n = 242, 90%), probable depression (n = 129, 50%), low social-economic status (n = 136, 54%), loss of employment/income (n = 204, 79%), saving (n = 203, 78%), assets (n = 202, 78%) and financial support (n = 210, 81%). Results from FGDs indicate that COVID-19 resulted in significant losses in human, social, natural, physical and financial capital among refugee women and youth. Future emergency response strategies should be designed based on the differentiated needs of vulnerable women and youth focusing on ensuring continuous access to essential services such as inclusive and gender-sensitive access to health, education and livelihood services.
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