Ayoo Hellen - Refugees International

Ayoo Irene Hellen is a South Sudanese female refugee from the Kiryandongo refugee settlement. She is a woman and gender activist, mediator, peace builder, and environmental advocate, driven by a commitment to positive change.

Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Management at Nkumba University. Born and raised in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement, she considers it her home away from home. One of her core advocacies centers around climate adaptation and mitigation. In her settlement, refugees lack access to clean energy for cooking, leading women and young girls to embark on long, often perilous journeys in search of firewood. This has tragically increased incidents of assault. Her advocacy focuses on promoting solar electricity for cooking, a sustainable solution that can significantly reduce conflicts, prevent school dropouts, and minimize cases of assault in the settlement.

Currently, she serves as a Partnership Officer with Last Mile Climate in Uganda, contributing actively to environmental initiatives. She also volunteers as a Community Engagement Lead at the African Youth Action Network and is a board member of CECI Uganda. I have previously worked as a finance and admin officer at TOCU Uganda. She has volunteered as an extension worker with the Danish Refugee Council, a village health team member with the International Rescue Committee, and a regional finance officer for the African Inland Church.

Follow her on LinkedIn at Ayoo Irene Hellen and X @ayoo_irene3.

Why Aren’t Refugees at the Negotiating Table?

“Climate Change is Hitting Us the Hardest. We Want to be Part of the Solutions.”