Consolidated Appeals Process(CAP) : Mid-Term Review of the Humanitarian Appeal 2005 for Uganda

Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP)
The CAP is much more than an appeal for money. It is an inclusive and coordinated programme cycle of:

(a) Strategic planning leading to a Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP);
(b) Resource mobilisation (leading to a Consolidated Appeal or a Flash Appeal);
(c) Coordinated programme implementation;
(d) Joint monitoring and evaluation;
(e) Revision, if necessary; and
(f) Reporting on results.

The CHAP is a strategic plan for humanitarian response in a given country or region and includes the following elements:

(a) A common analysis of the context in which humanitarian action takes place;
(b) An assessment of needs;
(c) Best, worst, and most likely scenarios;
(d) Stakeholder analysis, i.e. who does what and where;
(e) A clear statement of longer-term objectives and goals;
(f) Prioritised response plans; and
(g) A framework for monitoring the strategy and revising it if necessary.

The CHAP is the foundation for developing a Consolidated Appeal or, when crises break or natural disasters occur, a Flash Appeal. The CHAP can also serve as a reference for organisations deciding not to appeal for funds through a common framework. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the CHAP is developed at the field level by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Country Team. This team mirrors the IASC structure at headquarters and includes UN agencies, and standing invitees, i.e. the International Organization for Migration, the Red Cross Movement, and NGOs that belong to ICVA, Interaction, or SCHR. Non-IASC members, such as national NGOs, can be included, and other key stakeholders in humanitarian action, in particular host governments and donors, should be consulted.

The Humanitarian Coordinator is responsible for the annual preparation of the consolidated appeal document. The document is launched globally each November to enhance advocacy and resource mobilisation. An update, known as the Mid-Year Review, is presented to donors in June of each year.

Donors provide resources to appealing agencies directly in response to project proposals. The Financial Tracking Service (FTS), managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a database of donor contributions and can be found on http://www.reliefweb.int/fts

In sum, the CAP is about how the aid community collaborates to provide civilians in need the best protection and assistance available, on time.

1. Executive summary

The humanitarian challenges involving Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) continue to be of great concern in Uganda. There are currently some 1,670,000 IDPs living in rural camps in northern and eastern parts of the country. Out of these, 1,117,000 are found in the three Acholi districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, representing 90-95% of the sub-region's population. In the Lango sub-region, there are a total of 474,000 IDPs in Lira and Apac districts; and despite the restored peace in the Teso sub-region, there are 80-100,000 IDPs in Katakwi district, most of whom escaped Karimojong cattle raids. However, these IDPs do commute between the camps and their villages of origin, unlike their compatriots in Acholiland. Furthermore, there are an estimated 200-300,000 IDPs living in urban areas such as Gulu, Kitgum, Lira and Kampala and in the neighbouring districts of Adjumani, Masindi and Hoima. Therefore, the global figure of IDPs in northern Uganda is estimated at between 1.9 and 2 million, with 1.4 million (in rural Acholi and Lango camps) benefiting from regular World Food Programme (WFP) food assistance. IDPs in the camps are continuously subjected to violent activities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). After 19 years, there are still reports of continuing human rights violations, killings, raids, mutilations, abduction, sexual abuses and general violence.

In the Karamoja sub-region, food security remains fragile due to poor weather conditions to the extent that WFP increased the number of beneficiaries of food aid delivery from 117,000 in November 2004 to 574,000 at mid-year 2005. Food programmes for refugees and other social support groups (school feeding, people living with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) & Tuberculosis (TB), therapeutic feeding centres, etc) have also been stepped up. As a consequence of the lack of progress in the peace process and the continued insecurity in the countryside, there is no early prospect for IDPs to become food sufficient. WFP and other humanitarian partners will, therefore, need to continue their assistance.

Peace in the Teso districts and the southern part of Lango in the past year led IDPs to return home or spend more time in their villages than in camps; more than 200,000 IDPs in Teso received return and resettlement packages and are planting close to their villages of origin, near IDP camps. Going forward, it will be necessary like in other affected areas to expand opportunities for livelihood support, coupled with rehabilitation of basic social services (health, education, water and sanitation) and infrastructure.

In November 2004, there was considerable optimism that a peaceful resolution of the conflict was in sight. After a limited ceasefire in mid-November by the Government, renewed several times, a Lords Resistance Army (LRA) delegation and the Government peace team finally met on 29 December. Security subsequently improved, enabling an improved delivery of humanitarian assistance. However, the defection of the LRA negotiator in February 2005 and his replacement by the LRA second in command, Vincent Otti, stalled the negotiation process. In March, the LRA resumed their violent activities in Acholi and Adjumani districts and in southern Sudan from where, as a result, waves of refugees fled into Uganda. The number of "night commuters" trekking every night to the centre of Gulu, Kitgum and Kalongo, remained more or less at the same level, between 30,000 and 40,000.

With 46% of the CAP 2005 so far funded, the aid community, at midyear, is in a better position than last year to address the situation; in addition US$ 22,008,991 have been funded outside the CAP. Sectors like water/sanitation, education, health and protection, HIV/AIDS, support to livelihood and mine action are equally important in areas of displacement and/or return. The Government needs to be encouraged to commit increased resources towards needs of the IDPs in accordance with the National IDP Policy and spare no efforts in the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The priorities for next six months and beyond will remain:

• safety/Access/protection;
  
  
• food security and delivery of humanitarian assistance to all vulnerable populations;
  
  
• coordination/capacity building of national counterparts/information management;
  
  
• advocacy for conflict resolution/reconciliation;
  
  
• repatriation of refugees and return of IDPs, including support for Disarmament, Demobilisation, Return and Reintegration (DDRR).

The reviewed 2005 Consolidated Appeal has a revised total requirement of US$ 188,195,144. A total of US$ 86,751,765 has been contributed or pledged to date, leaving unmet requirements of US$ 101,443,379.

2. Changes in the context and humanitarian consequences

At the time of the launch of the CAP 2005 in November 2004, there were promising signs that the conflict in northern Uganda was close to resolution. The Uganda Army's Operation Iron Fist Phase Two (OIF-II) in southern Sudan and northern Uganda seemed to have considerably weakened the LRA in the second half of 2004. This, coupled with reduced Government of Sudan (GoS) support to the LRA, prompted the surrender, to the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), of many middle-ranking LRA commanders and their soldiers, while a large number was captured. Meanwhile, parallel efforts by the former Minister of State for northern Uganda, Ms. Betty Bigombe, to facilitate negotiation talks between the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the LRA also appeared to be promising. The President declared a limited ceasefire (renewed several times) in a small area of northern Uganda to establish contact between the Government peace team and the LRA, resulting in the latter meeting a government peace team on 29 December 2004 for the second time in the history of the LRA insurgency The first time was 1994/95 when Betty Bigombe was the Minister of State for Northern Uganda..

Consequently, from late 2004 to mid-February 2005, the Acholi sub-region witnessed a substantial reduction in security incidents, allowing for increased access to IDP camps by humanitarian agencies. However, the defection of LRA chief negotiator, Brigadier Kolo, to the Government side in February 2005, placed the peace process into uncertainty. Joseph Kony replaced Sam Kolo with his deputy, Major-General Vincent Otti. Since then the peace process has stagnated, despite Ms. Bigombe's continued efforts.

Another issue that complicates the search for peace in northern Uganda is the continuation of the investigation of senior LRA commanders, by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed during the insurgency. While civil society organisations, religious, traditional, and some political leaders from northern Uganda believe that the investigations and the potential issuance of arrest warrants against top LRA commanders do not serve the cause of peace in northern Uganda. Pro-government politicians favour combining the peace and ICC processes to put pressure on the LRA.

Following the disruption of the peace talks and the surrender of Brig. Kolo, there has been a marked decline in security in the Acholi sub-region and northern parts of Lira and Apac districts in the Lango sub-region. The LRA has dared infiltrating suburbs of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader towns, often involving murders, abduction of civilians and targeted attacks on UPDF detachments. There have been serious ambushes on the roads and a number of incidents where civilians, especially women, have been maimed or murdered by the LRA whilst working in their fields. Night commuter numbers in 20 sites in Gulu have increased from 11,000 in February to 18,000 in mid-April (a total of 41,000 in Gulu, Kitgum and Kalongo towns), due to increased LRA activities around the town. The UPDF has responded by restricting the daily movements of IDPs from the camps to the fields to between 0900hrs and 1700hrs, because of an increased fear of LRA attacks. There have also been allegations of some UPDF soldiers harassing/killing/arresting civilians found outside the IDP camps.

In the Teso sub-region and southern Lira district, relative peace has prevailed following a combined effort by UPDF and local militias forced the LRA out of the two areas in early/mid 2004. In the Teso sub-region, an estimated 350,000 IDPs have been able to return to their areas of origin, with the exception of 80,000 in Wusuk county, Katakwi district, who fear both Karamojong and LRA raids. Similarly, in Lira, an estimated 60,000 IDPs from Lira municipality (75% of the original number) have returned to rural camps closer to their villages of origin, cautiously accessing their fields.

According to the March 2005 issue of the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) NET newsletter, drought and poor pasture conditions have forced many people in rural areas of Karamoja to migrate to towns in search of income opportunities, whilst households owning livestock (about 40% of all households) continue to sell their animals cheaply to obtain income to buy grain. As a result, WFP's projected number of people in need of food assistance in Karamoja has risen from 117,000 in February 2005 to 574,000 in April 2005. The Government re-started its Karamoja disarmament programme in November 2004 to curb the cattle rustling activities of the Karamojong warriors.

The launch by the Government of the National IDP Policy in March 2005 was a welcome development, as this will promote a system-wide response by the Government and its humanitarian partners to the protection needs of IDPs. The United Nations (UN) has finalised its protection strategy, which will add to the efforts of the Government and the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Equally important is the recruitment and deployment by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) of a Senior Technical Advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and of seven District Disaster Preparedness Coordinators (DDPCs) to the conflict-affected districts to help with the implementation of the policy and support return and re-integration programmes.

Relations between Uganda and its neighbours (Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and Sudan) have remained stable, although there have been allegations in the local press of opposition groups fermenting trouble in eastern DRC. These are, however, not expected to pose a serious threat to the country's security. Meanwhile, the signing of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005 is a welcome development for northern Uganda, at least in the longer term, as its successful implementation could eliminate the Sudan factor from the conflict. However, this is not expected to translate to a significant voluntary repatriation of refugees in the next six months, in view of the need for the development of basic infrastructure in the return areas.

The humanitarian consequences of the current environment include:

• an impasse in the peace process and deterioration in security since March 2005 has led to reduced access, especially in the Acholi sub-region and the northern parts of Lango;
  
  
• the deterioration in security has further worsened human rights in the conflict areas, with regards to children and women (abductions, raping, maiming and killings) as they try to access their gardens or look for firewood. The absence of police in the IDP camps does not ease the maintenance of law and order or camp management;
  
  
• the "night commuter" phenomenon continues to be a serious protection issue, as the children are exposed to abuse and to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS;
  
  
• congestion in the camps, with poor water and sanitation, cause fires and cholera outbreaks -- especially in Gulu district;
  
  
• while the number of IDPs eligible for WFP food assistance has dropped slightly, the overall number of food beneficiaries has gone up, due to an increase in the number of vulnerable refugees (due to LRA activities in Adjumani district and southern Sudan) and to cyclical drought in Karamoja. This increase in the vulnerable population translates into greater demands, especially in food assistance (please refer to the bar chart below);
  
  
• basic social services in IDP camps are completely inadequate especially in education, health, water and sanitation;
  
  
• the responses to HIV/AIDS in the conflict-affected areas are extremely weak, especially in the areas of education, prevention, management and coordination.

Based on the above, the priority needs remain unchanged, namely: food assistance, water and sanitation, education, health, shelter materials and non-food items (NFI).

3. Review of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP)

3.1 Summary

The CHAP strategy for the CAP 2005 emphasised:

• improved access to IDPs, refugees and other vulnerable groups;
  
  
• improved protection for all vulnerable groups with emphasis on women and children;
  
  
• improved provision of comprehensive and timely humanitarian assistance to vulnerable groups;
  
  
• improved livelihoods and coping mechanisms of IDPs and refugees.

These priorities are valid six months into the CAP 2005 because the humanitarian needs remain unaltered, while the total number of vulnerable people has increased by over 600,000. The following excerpts from the Joint Inter-Agency Assessments conducted in Pader and Lira districts in December and March, illustrate the situation; "Water intake per person per day is less than four litres; more than 1,636 persons share a water point and the mothers spend an average two hours at a water point. 250 persons share latrine in camps. The teacher pupil ratio is 1:700 and it is worse in satellite camps, as children have no access to education. Health centres lack trained manpower and drugs, while a referral system is virtually non-existent in a district that has only one hospital". Report on Pader District Joint Inter-Agency Assessment Mission (06-18) December 2004.

Nevertheless, a nutritional survey conducted by GOAL (Irish NGO) in three sub-counties in Pader district in March 2005 indicated improvement in mortality rates (Crude Mortality Rate [CMR]: 0.7/10,000/day and Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): 1.3/10,000/day) compared to Médecins sans Frontières/Holland (MSF-H) November 2004 figures (CMR: 2.8/10,000/day and U5MR: 5.4/10,000/day Findings of a Nutrition Survey: Parabongo, Wol & Paimol Sub-Counties, Agago County, Pader District, Northern Uganda – March 2005.). The environment here, as elsewhere in the Acholi districts, has been compounded by insecurity, which continues to severely constrain the IDPs' coping strategies, leaving them with no other option but to depend on food aid. IDPs are unable to contribute to the welfare of their families with regards to health, education, water and sanitation services.

In contrast to the Acholi sub-region, Lira district has a better environment. With increased security, the IDPs have had more freedom of movement to access gardens and expand coping mechanisms. This has led to better nutrition as can be seen by the falling numbers of children in the Therapeutic Feeding Centres (TFCs) and Supplementary Feeding Centres (SFC). From over 300 children in May 2004, the TFC now has only 120 children. The mortality rates of over 2.2 /10,000/day1 reported in November 2004 have now fallen below 0.5/10,000/day2 in February 2005.

Access to health services in the rural camps in Lira has improved since last year although not all rural health units are open and those open do not offer full services. The assessments found irregular drug supplies, a low staff presence and limited opening hours. The level of immunisation is reported to be low and antenatal care is not available in every camp. HIV/AIDS services were available only in Ogur camp plus condom distribution and HIV education by MSF-H in a few camps. However, given the congestion and over-crowding in the IDP camps, it is important that agencies in the health sector put together contingency plans to avert possible outbreaks of diseases in the future." Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assessment of Rural IDP Camps in Lira – (21-24) March 2005.

These constraints notwithstanding, the aid community has sought to address the key priority needs:

1) WFP provided food assistance to more than two million vulnerable people (1.4 million IDPs, 148,000 refugees, school age children and People Living With HIV/AIDS [PLWHA]). In Teso and southern Lira district, many IDPs have received return food packages and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and NGO seeds and tools, and have either returned or are in the process of returning to their villages of origin;

2) After an inter-agency assessment of formerly unrecognised camps was conducted in Gulu in November 2004, WFP, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), MSF, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and other humanitarian agencies scaled up their programmes in the sectors of food, health, water and sanitation, and non-food items;

4) Fire broke out in nearly 25% of IDP camps in Gulu district during the first months of 2005. Cholera broke out in Pabbo, Atiak, Amuru and Parabongo camps. These incidents were the direct consequences of the acute characteristics of virtually all IDP camps. A good collaboration between humanitarian organisations and the Gulu District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) helped contain the outbreak.

5) In Kitgum and Pader districts, significant efforts were made to meet the outstanding needs of IDPs. Outside food aid impressive efforts are in the NFIs sector where, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Kitgum, over 60% of IDPs received kits. Protection for night commuters has improved with the provision of shelters and basic necessities. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF and NGOs concerted their efforts.

6) In the Karamoja sub-region, regularly affected by drought, WFP is now to provide relief food assistance to 574,000 people (so far it was 177,000) in anticipation of the gap period (April -- July) and poor rain conditions FEWS NET: Uganda Food Security Update – April 2005..

3.1a Impact of funding levels on CHAP implementation

As of 10 June, donors' response to the UN agencies appealing in the CAP 2005 has been good: FAO, 54%; WFP, 49%; UNICEF, 56%; OCHA, 58%; and, World Health Organization (WHO), 15%. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was 29% funded through country-level earmarked contributions, but thanks to the availability of broadly earmarked and unrestricted contributions, it could meet 45% of its revised requirements by mid-year. Among the 19 NGOs that submitted projects, NRC (100%), Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale (AVSI) (100%) and Cooperazione Internazionale/Italy (COOPI) (95%) were funded. Many of the other NGOs are working as implementing partners with resources received by UN agencies. Of the original amount appealed for in CAP 2005, 55% has been committed (a large improvement over last year's 19.7%). Funding outside the CAP has also contributed resources amounting to US$ 22,008,991 Table 1: Consolidated Appeal for Uganda 2005. Revised Requirements, Commitments/Contributions and pledges per Appealing Organisation as of 10-June-2005.. Most UN agencies revised their appeal for 2005 to reflect increased requirements and an important effort is requested again from donors to cover gaps in education, economic recovery and infrastructure, HIV/AIDS, mine action, protection/human rights/rule of law, safety and security of staff and operations and water and sanitation.

3.2 Scenarios

3.2.1 Best-case scenario

The peace agreement in Sudan and the Uganda peace process are implemented. Southern Sudan is more accessible to Ugandans and Kenyans; northern Uganda becomes a transport hub for the region (air, roads and rail). 30% of Sudanese refugees in Uganda return home within six months. Relations with neighbouring countries substantially improve leading to the expulsion of Ugandan opposition groups from eastern DRC and Rwanda. Peace in northern Uganda leads to disarmament, demobilisation, return and re-integration of ex-LRA combatants; a spontaneous and massive return of IDPs follows. The government succeeds in disarming Karamojong warriors. Drought recedes.

3.2.2 Worst case scenario

The peace agreement in southern Sudan drags on; the Betty Bigombe mediation is stalled and leads to the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the Governments of Uganda and Sudan. Both governments accuse each other of resuming support to the other's opposition groups leading to escalation of hostilities both inside southern Sudan and northern Uganda. In the DRC, the People's Redemption Army (PRA) and other Ugandan opposition groups intensify their activities along the border areas, sending refugees and IDPs fleeing to western Uganda. Tensions with Rwanda rise. A re-vamped LRA re-expands its activities to other areas than Acholi and Lango districts halting the relative return and resettlement of IDPs. The Karamoja disarmament programme fails; the drought does not recede with as consequence widespread banditry and cattle rustling. The refugee and IDP (including drought-affected) caseloads increase to 400,000 and 2.5 million respectively, placing severe constraints on agencies resources. Delivery of vital humanitarian assistance is severely restricted due to widespread insecurity. The GoU and the LRA come under renewed international pressure to sign a humanitarian ceasefire to enable delivery of vital food and emergency assistance.

3.2.3 Most likely scenario

The implementation of the peace agreement in Sudan does not lead to immediate peace dividends for northern Uganda over the next six months; relations with DRC, Rwanda and Sudan remain stable. The stalemate in the peace initiative on northern Uganda is expected to persist, with the LRA eluding discussing or signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) proposed by the GoU in December 2004. Commanders and foot soldiers continue to surrender to the Government in numbers that do not significantly reduce the LRA's current atrocities. In Karamoja, fragile food security prevails due to localised drought, cattle rustling and banditry; the GoU's disarmament programme is yet to offer alternative and sustainable livelihood options. Caseloads of vulnerable populations (IDPs, refugees and drought affected people) do not decrease; IDPs in Teso and southern Lango continuing to return home.

3.3 Strategic Priorities

The strategic priorities for humanitarian action remain unchanged, namely:

1. Improved access to IDPs, refugees and other vulnerable groups to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance

In spite of the recent rise in attacks, access to IDP camps improved somewhat over the year, enabling humanitarian agencies to visit the camps more often. In the Teso and southern Lango districts, where the LRA presence is at a minimum, humanitarian actors no longer use escorts to visit IDP camps/programmes. In Gulu district, UN agencies now access 18 camps without escorts. In Kitgum and Pader where the environment has not changed much, the use of escorts is still mandatory for the UN, except for three camps close to Kitgum town. The deployment of UNICEF armoured vehicles (in Gulu and in Kitgum districts) greatly contributed to this improvement in access. WFP uses heavy military escorts to deliver food assistance to camps, while organisations whose mandates do not permit the use of military escorts access camps without escorts after examining security information from military personnel and other sources. The presence of a deputy field security officer in the northern districts enables regular periodic assessment of the security conditions in all conflict-affected districts, and helps in the dissemination of timely security updates that is crucial for the safety of humanitarian workers and assists in the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. In the Karamoja region, security conditions have somewhat deteriorated over the past two months and might require more frequent assessments to clearly define the level of access to vulnerable population.

2. Improved protection of all vulnerable groups, with the emphasis on women and children in accordance with international and human rights laws and humanitarian principles

With improved access to camps, there has been a larger awareness of the protection issues faced by IDPs. More humanitarian assistance and staff reached the camps and monitoring of programmes improved. Advocacy by the human rights and protection working group in Gulu, supported by the Humanitarian Coordinator at the Kampala level, led to the recognition of 19 formerly unrecognised camps, which were assessed in October/November 2004. The 19 IDP camps have been regularly receiving assistance since then. Significant gaps still remain in all camps in the non-food sectors like water and sanitation, education, health, HIV/AIDS, protection and camp management. The Government launched the National IDP Policy in February 2005, which is expected to improve the protection of IDPs. Mobilisation of the required resources will need the combined effort of the Government and its partners. The protection strategy and its implementation matrix recently developed by the UN agencies, the deployment by UNICEF of three international protection officers, the presence of the ICRC, the improved coordination, and the anticipated deployment of six OHCHR officers in the affected districts, should add to these efforts.

3. Improved provision and delivery of comprehensive and timely humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, respecting their dignity in a sustainable manner

Insecurity in the Acholi and northern Lango districts prevents 1.4 million IDPs from meeting their basic requirements; they continue depending on humanitarian assistance, especially food aid. Also requiring sustained humanitarian assistance are: 192,000 refugees; 570,000 drought-affected populations; and 566,000 other vulnerable people in the Teso, Karamoja, West Nile and Rwenzori regions. The distribution of resources across sectors continues to be only partially addressed, and gaps remain in health, education and water and sanitation. Realistically, significant progress in these areas will be hard to achieve in Acholi and northern Lango sub-regions without a ceasefire to facilitate unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.

4. Improved livelihoods and coping mechanisms of IDPs and refugees through the promotion of self-reliance in the camps

In Teso and southern Lango, most IDPs have been provided with return packages to enable them to re-establish their livelihoods in villages or rural IDP camps. These opportunities are expected to expand further in the next six months through the inclusion of WFP's food for assets and school feeding, and UNDP's livelihood promotion, training and income generation programmes. Meanwhile UNHCR's multi-sector assistance is expected to continue alongside the Self-Reliance Strategy (SRS). The SRS is aimed at the integration of refugee services delivery into the existing district structures in the districts of Adjumani, Moyo and Arua, given that many Sudanese refugees are not likely to return home soon due to the absence of basic services in many parts of southern Sudan.

3.4 Response plans

3.4.1 Agriculture

The progress in agricultural support to displaced populations in most parts of Acholi and Lango sub-regions remained limited due to few resources and constrained access to land. Karamojong rustlers still pose security threats in parts of Pader, Lira and Kitgum districts. Despite the insecurity, IDPs have increasingly engaged in cultivation, but with unequal levels of access to land. There is some optimism that access will continue to improve through enhanced advocacy, protection, and roadside cultivation.

In Teso sub-region, the IDPs have continued to gradually return home to access land for agricultural production. Returnees, especially in Katakwi and Kaberamaido districts have very limited assets to exchange for food. Cattle rustling along the boundary between Teso and Karamoja, and tsetse fly infestation in Kaberamaido have continuously reduced livestock population. Some of the crops planted at the beginning of the first season in 2005 have suffered from erratic rains Uganda Food Security Updates by FEWSNET and WFP, April 2005.. Further assessments are underway to evaluate the potential need for additional support with agricultural inputs.

The overall objective in this sector remains sustained food security with increased access of vulnerable farmers to agricultural inputs and technical advice for the second planting season. Most of the actions implemented so far targeted primary production potentials, which are in some cases constrained by access to land and/or by lack of inputs. However, if security and access to land improve, inputs in this sector must increase proportionally. The efforts to limit the impact of tsetse flies are under consideration as a new priority, especially for Kaberamaido.

Progress made: Significant progress has been made in achieving two main sector objectives: (i) Increased number of beneficiaries and actions (299,000 households targeted with basic agricultural inputs during the first cropping season 2005) through improved access to IDP camps for humanitarian assistance FAO Emergency Coordination Unit (ECU) Agriculture Database for 2004/2005.; and (ii) Improved coordination (headed by FAO) and participation at the national and district levels, as well as the involvement of the GoU counterparts, which has resulted in better planning and more timely actions from all partners.

The needs for this sector include: expanding provision of agricultural kits comprising early maturing/improved staple and cash crops; capacity building for heads of households; systematic monitoring and evaluation to better measure and, therefore, improve the overall impact of agriculture inputs distributions; supporting chronic drought-affected areas; strengthening household income; and empowering women, through agricultural training and support. Due to lack of funding and pessimistic weather forecasts, at least 80,000 households will still need to be supplied with agricultural inputs (in addition to the 112,000 households planned by FAO) for the second cropping season.

3.4.2 Coordination and support services

Over the second half of 2004, the main focus of the UN System was on consolidating its presence in the conflict-affected districts, supporting/facilitating the DDMCs in the coordination of responses to the crisis, rejuvenating the existing and starting new sector working groups to enhance information gathering and sharing, and leading and facilitating joint inter-agency assessments and missions.

Progress made: Improved coordination between humanitarian agencies and DDMCs, including:

• an inter-agency assessment of 19 formerly non-recognised IDP camps in Gulu, in November 2004, after those camps were recognised by the Government;
  
  
• between November 2004 and January 2005, joint inter-agency assessments with DDMCs were conducted in the Teso and Pader districts;
  
  
• a coordinated response was provided to the cholera outbreak in three IDP camps (Pabbo, Atiak, and Jengari) in Gulu district (October 2004/March 2005), with the District Directorate of Heath Services (DDHS), the UN and NGOs working through a task force. Responses to fire outbreaks in early 2005 led to the delivery of assistance within the next few days of the event;
  
  
• the deployment, in March 2005, of District Disaster Preparedness Coordinators (DDPCs) by the OPM with the support of UNDP to assists in the capacity building of DDMCs.

Security and access

• Sharing of security information between the Public Relations Officers of the UPDF and the humanitarian agencies has improved tremendously over the past year. A UN Deputy Field Security Coordinator (DFSCO) has been deployed to Gulu and assists the aid community with professional assessment and analysis of the security environment.
  
  
• UNICEF's provision of two armoured vehicles has contributed to improving access in Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader districts for the aid community.

Priorities for the next six months

• Sector lead agencies need to work on strengthening sector coordination (analysis and strategy design); joint planning/assessments; joint monitoring, evaluation of programmes (including data collection and compilation) and strengthening the capacities of local counterpart departments.
  
  
• DDMCs and other humanitarian partners should consider decentralising coordination to specific locations/sub-councils to address specific concerns/needs of localities/IDP camps.
  
  
• Identification and coordinated implementation of field-based HIV/AIDS activities within the district structures (DDMC, District AIDS Committees, District AIDS Teams, etc).
  
  
• Setting up offices in Pader district by UN and NGOs. OCHA is planning to set up a base in Katakwi for monitoring the situation in that district.
  
  
• A profiling exercise of IDPs in the Acholi districts is planned for mid June 2005. Profiling of IDP return areas, return and re-integration programmes are planned in Teso and Lango districts.
  
  
• Agencies and NGOs working on protection and human rights, expanding and improving their expertise, will strengthen documentation, assessment, analysis and address protection and human rights issues.

3.4.3 Economic recovery and infrastructure

The improvement of household incomes of the people of northern Uganda remains a major challenge. In particular, IDP camp populations have virtually no access to productive resources and lack business skills, which make it difficult to combat the high degree of inertia. High environmental degradation has occurred in and around the IDP camps due to excessive congestion. The priority needs identified under this sector remains as stated in the CAP 2005: livelihood promotion, training and income generation, and capacity building.

Progress made: The Cabinet's approval of the National IDP policy has led to a more focused approach to planning for economic recovery in northern Uganda. UNDP assigned a Senior Technical Advisor to the OPM to assist in implementing the IDP policy to the conflict affected areas. To help build capacity in the districts, UNDP recruited seven DDPCs who assist the DDMCs in implementing the IDP policy. They are based in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Soroti, and Lira.

As the planning for return progresses, several projects have been funded in Bobi and Co-ope camps in Gulu district that address income generation, food security, and environmental conservation using the cultivation of upland rice as a major strategy in achieving these objectives. Some camp residents have received business training to enable them to engage in income generation activities.

Strategy for the next six months

• UNDP will continue to provide development inputs in the camps, creating the basis for their adoption and spread in the rural areas to which the bulk of the camp residents are likely to return.
  
  
• A parallel strategy of creating employment and income earning opportunities within the camps will continue. UNDP started development initiatives such as training and livelihood support programmes, which would assist during the emergency, and at the same time, contribute to the success of return, reintegration and recovery activities.
  
  
• The problem of land degradation due to unsustainable patterns of use must be tackled. It is important that non-land-based livelihoods are promoted alongside agricultural and other land-based activities.

3.4.4 Education

On average, only 2% of children aged between three and five have access to Early Learning Centres (ECD), as services are being constrained by the low capacity of communities to initiate and sustain ECD sites. Of the primary school age children, it is estimated that at least 25% are out of school. Of the 1,229 primary schools in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira and Apac, 60% are still displaced. Weak leadership, accountability, and monitoring of the education sector, combined with understaffing and high teacher absenteeism Data from Lira indicate that less than 30% of registered teachers consistently report to duty each school day. contribute to the poor quality of education. Other factors include overcrowded classrooms, and lack of basic teaching /learning materials and basic facilities such as water and sanitation. While gender disparities are significant at enrolment, girls almost disappear from the education system on the upper primary level. For example, in Gulu, 90% of the girls who drop out of school do so between Primary 5 and Primary 7. Furthermore, female teachers are conspicuously absent from most learning centres.

The March 2005 Lira assessment Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assessment of Rural IDP Camps in Lira District, 21–24 March 2005, involving GoU, OPM, UN agencies and NGOs. revealed that pupils' attendance rates are very low. The absence of teachers in the learning centres/schools is the main challenge in the sector. The instruction issued that all teachers from relatively safe areas should return to their schools/learning centres has not taken effect. The assessment, for example, established that only nine of 63 schools were operating individually, and of the 462 teachers expected to be in the 63 schools, only 134 were reporting in a somewhat consistent manner. In addition, only 17 of the 134 teachers were actually found on site (not necessarily teaching) and only nine of the 63 head teachers were present in the schools. Facilitated teaching and learning is often poor, and existing resources - although severely inadequate - are under-utilised. Furthermore, there is no proper structure of management and administration of the learning centres/schools.

Progress made: There have been efforts to address some of the problems through the construction of temporary classrooms in selected learning centres, improvement of school water and sanitation facilities, training of displaced teachers in the Child Friendly School concept and integrated psycho-social support, and the distribution of scholastic materials and teaching aids. In addition, by the end of 2004, 37 ECD were established in the IDP camps with a total enrolment of 11,800 children. During the same period, 109 district and sub-county officials were trained as ECD facilitators and 306 individuals from the camps were trained as caregivers. There have also been efforts to train teachers in team teaching and psycho-social support for war-affected children supported by UNICEF and capacity building for School Management Committees (SMCs), Centre for Caregiver Training (CCTs) and Parent Teacher's Associations (PTAs) supported by The Uganda Programme for Human and Holistic Development (UPHOLD).

The priority needs remain the same as by the launch of the 2005 CAP. In recent months, however, the need to prioritise management and monitoring capacity has also emerged, as well as the need to introduce Break Through to Literacy (BTL) teaching-learning methodology in four local languages, in a bid to improve learning achievement of children in the conflict affected districts.

3.4.5 Family shelter and non food items

The renewed violence from March onwards has kept the number of internally displaced at around 1.4 million persons. Some returns have occurred in Teso, but remaining IDPs (between 80 and 100,000 in camps) continue to be largely under-served in terms of basic services. In Kitgum, Pader and especially Lira, there has been some movement out of the municipal camps to sub-county camps, where security is assured by UPDF detaches. The movements are largely unplanned with respect to ensuring appropriate services and camp layout. While these migrations may result in better access to land for some IDPs, risks such as fires, epidemics and violence against IDPs outside of camps have not been resolved. Gulu district is trying to plan the decongestion of camps, but fear, suspicion, and reluctance delay the process considerably. Efforts to get authorities to better plan for movements to satellite camps have been made, but must be intensified. The availability of fuel and construction materials remains problematic and leads IDPs to take risks in ever-widening circles outside camp locations. The March 2005 Lira Inter-agency assessment found that while a substantial proportion of camp households had sufficient NFIs for their basic needs, the extremely vulnerable families -- probably 20% of the IDP population (approximately 14,000 households) -- did not have enough NFIs to fulfil their basic needs.

During the recent dry season, more than 9,500 households (48,000 persons) in 15 camps in Gulu and four in Lira were affected by fire and cholera outbreaks. Responses to these types of emergencies have been efficient and well coordinated. However, camp planning/management initiatives have not been successful in reducing the occurrence of such emergencies. The creation of firebreaks, either through relocation of huts or provision of corrugated iron roofing along defined lines, remains problematic and no agency has adequately tested this approach. Nevertheless, improvements have been made in the total basic coverage of NFI needs. Harmonisation of NFI packages is improving, although closer standardisation is still sought.

Progress made: During the reporting period, NFIs were distributed to households affected by various campfires and in response to the decongestion of Pabbo camp. The various night commuter centres (for some 40,000 children), eight reception centres (for more than 2,500 formerly abducted children) and TFCs (for 4,000 babies) have received adequate basic shelter, sanitary services and appropriate NFI supplies, and their capacity meets current demands. In Kitgum, ICRC has emerged as the coordinator and distributor of most NFIs in the district.

The priority needs remain the same. However, further focus should be directed towards: improved advocacy for better camp management; vector control measures; construction kits and nails for shelters; programming for reducing night commuter movements while maintaining minimum basic facilities; improved scholastic support; a more focused overall NFI policy including NFI for work and greater harmonisation between all partners.

3.4.6 Food

Access-related food insecurity is still widespread in areas affected by conflict and drought. This has been compounded by delay in the northern Uganda peace process, limited access to arable land by IDPs, displacement of refugees by LRA activities and the continued influx of refugees from eastern DRC and southern Sudan. An estimated 1.4 million IDPs, 192,000 refugees and 574,000 drought-affected people currently depend on WFP food assistance for their survival. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) among children under five, although improving in IDP camps, still varies from 2.5% in Lira district to 12.2% in Kitgum. Crude mortality rates vary from 1.4 deaths/10,000 people per day in Apac district to less than 1/10,000 people per day in Pader.

The sector's objectives and response plans remain unchanged, with an enhanced safety net component in the new Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO 10121.0/1) that started on 1 April 2005 to cater for the most vulnerable. WFP originally requested US$ 86,065,572 in the appeal to provide relief and recovery assistance to 2.9 million beneficiaries. From January to April 2005, WFP distributed a total of 71,000 MTs to 2,251,641 beneficiaries as shown below:

The high percentage of General Food Distribution (GFD) beneficiaries compared to the planned figure is due to an increase in the refugee caseload and relief assistance to drought affected populations in Karamoja. Up to 376,939 school children in IDP camps and refugee settlements were encouraged to attend school. The high beneficiary coverage for Food-for-Assets (FFA) and HIV/AIDS activities was due to an expansion of programme activities. The low percentage of actual SFC/Mother and Child Health (MCH) beneficiaries compared to the planned figure is due to the fact that WFP's MCH programmes have not yet been implemented in northern Uganda. However, other involvements for mother and child are continuing. In addition, nutritional status amongst children under-five in IDP camps is improving, although adequate access to water, sanitation and health services remains a major concern.

3.4.7 Health

In October 2004, there was an outbreak of cholera in the IDP camps in Gulu and in Kitgum with a total of 277 cases (10 deaths), which was successfully controlled. In April-May another cholera outbreak in Pabbo, Jengari, Parabongo, Lacor and Amuru camps was reported, with a total of over 200 cases in the first two months. According to nutritional surveys carried out in 83 camps in Gulu, Lira, Pader and Apac on 11,500 children under five, Global and Severe Malnutrition rates stood between 2% to 6% and 0.5% to 3%, respectively. There has been a general improvement in the performance of the TFCs with cure rates of 76% to 84% (75% is acceptable level) and death rates of nine to 11% (less than 10% is the acceptable). In 2003 the death rates were as high as 15%. In May the findings of the Sero-Behavioural Survey revealed that HIV prevalence rates in the north vary from 4.4% to 10% for women and from 4.2% to 8% for men, with the worst affected group being women between 20% and 49% (7.3% to 12% prevalence).

Progress made: The implementation of Home-Based Care (HBC) for the under-five children in the camps continues and more children are treated. The timely provision of first-line treatment drugs is reported to have greatly reduced the risks of children dying of malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. During the reporting period cases of malaria reported in Gulu fell by 26%, and the number of mothers attending Ante-Natal Clinics increased by 45%. To date, 2,300 Community Resource Persons (CORPs) for HBC have been trained and supplied with drug kits, targeting a total of over 300,000 children under five. The CORPs are also assisting with other health related issues in the camps (cholera outbreak, mobilisation, hygiene campaigns etc). No measles or other epidemics or cases of Guinea Worm have been reported in the camps. Child Days were implemented for the second time in November 2004, while Sub-National Immunisation Days (NIDs) against polio were implemented in 15 districts in February and May.

Key priorities for 2005 still stand and a few more have been added: (1) renovation and equipping of vital areas of selected health facilities for better service delivery; (2) on-the-job performance enhancement of health workers and CORPs with emphasis on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), directly observed short-course (DOTS) treatment for TB, adolescent friendly health services, emergency obstaetric care and Health Management Information Systems (HMIS)/ community-based Early Warning Networks; (3) extension of health outreach (IMCI, immunisation, Ante-natal care [ANC], health education) to hard-to-reach camps; (4) development of cholera and other epidemic prone diseases preparedness and response plans at district level; and (5) extension of emergency response to the mobile populations in Karamoja districts and displaced populations in Hoima district.

3.4.8 HIV/AIDS

Preliminary findings from the 2004-2005 Uganda HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey (UHSBS) show that the war-affected districts in the north-central region have a prevalence rate of 9%, compared to the neighbouring regions with 4.2%, 2.5%, and 7% at national level. Conflict areas have difficulty implementing the district HIV/AIDS coordination structures, and the District Development plans insufficiently reflect HIV/AIDS emergency issues because of limited capacity and the lack of prioritisation of HIV/AIDS activities. Service delivery, including Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), treatment, condoms, and reproductive health, is concentrated in towns and specific accessible camps, limiting access to appropriate and comprehensive services for IDPs in rural camps. Weak coordination between service providers further contributes to limited access of HIV/AIDS services by IDPs.

The national condom shortage was aggravated in the conflict districts by a weak distribution system. Additional needs such as nutrition and water and sanitation, which are especially important for the well being of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PHA), are insufficiently met. Dangerous coping methods and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence increase vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Some of the more dangerous coping methods IDPs resort to include parents giving away their daughters for food and wives involved in survival sex. Community orientation and participation is low. Likewise, there is no meaningful involvement of PHAs, who are addressed only as recipients of services.

Progress made: The HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey and the national mapping exercise of HIV/AIDS services provide a better understanding of the HIV/AIDS problems in the north. The International Organization for Migration (IOM)/ United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) baseline assessment provides the evidence base for focused advocacy to scale up HIV/AIDS initiatives in the conflict areas. The UN Technical Working Group on HIV/AIDS visited Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira to assess HIV/AIDS activities and coordination to improve coherence in the UN emergency response to HIV/AIDS. UNICEF held a 3-day Inter-agency Consultation on Children and AIDS in Conflict Districts (Gulu, Kitgum, Lira, Pader) for the purpose of designing an operational plan for actions. A second Meeting will be held in January 2006 to assess progress made. Recommendations from the consultation(s) will feed into the framework for the United Nations response to HIV/AIDS in the camps.

In the CAP 2005, revised funding requests for HIV/AIDS amounted to about US$ 7.7 million, of which only US$ 764,500 (UNICEF) has been funded. Three zonal offices have been established (Gulu, Kitgum and Lira) and three HIV/AIDS Project Officers (Prevention, Testing and Treatment, and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) are currently under recruitment for the North. WHO supports the Ministry of Health (MoH) in building capacity of health service providers both in Government and private, but not for profit health facilities. The agency supported training in HIV/AIDS care including Anti-retrovirus (ARVs) for Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira and Apac districts.

Strategies

• Support local government planning systems to strengthen and mainstream HIV/AIDS activities in district development plans within the framework of the 'Three Ones'.
  
  
• Support local government in Prevention, Testing and Treatment, Care and Support of children, adolescents (including OVC), men and women living in IDP camps.
  
  
• Establish coordination structures at lower local government levels and IDP camp level to promote community participation and build an increase of awareness, knowledge on HIV within the IDP camp management committees.
  
  
• Engage senior leadership at national level on the issues in the north, particularly the inadequacy of basic service delivery to all such as health and education.

3.4.9 Mine action

Uganda has mine/Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) contamination problems resulting from successive conflicts over the past three decades, including the conflict-affected areas in northern Uganda. The full extent of landmine/UXO contamination in the north will be known once access to those areas has improved. Landmine and UXO contamination primarily affects the border regions with DRC and Sudan, but there is also UXO contamination in the interior of the country. The available data indicate that the total number of landmine/UXO casualties to date in the country is approximately 2,000. Data gathered by AVSI shows that 422 landmine/UXO survivors were treated in its rehabilitation centre in Gulu town and an additional 66 survivors identified in 2004 are still awaiting treatment.

Progress made

• UNDP fielded a Mine Action Advisor based in the OPM to assist the GoU in policy setting and coordination of mine action in the country.
  
  
• The EU has pledged one million euros for mine action activities in Uganda, targeting mine risk education (MRE), Victim Assistance (VA), reintegration of landmine survivors, and targeted needs assessments in western and northern Uganda.
  
  
• In May 2005 the GoU, with support of UNDP, approached the UK-funded International Mine Action Training Centre in Nairobi and the U.S. Department of State, Department of Weapons Removal and Abatement, for funding to train and equip multi-skilled survey/manual-battle area clearance teams, and to support the mine detection dog component.

Key priorities: the main priorities are still valid but are re-formulated as follows:

• Reduction and clearance of landmine and UXO contaminated land in Gulu, Kitgum, Lira, and Pader districts by December 2007 in accordance with regional and national rehabilitation and development plans and the return or re-settlement of IDPs;
  
  
• Reduction and clearance of mine and UXO affected land in Soroti, Kaberamaido, and Katakwi in accordance with regional and national rehabilitation and development plans;
  
  
• 20% reduction in landmine and UXO incidents by 2005;
  
  
• Provision of effective mine risk education to IDPs and refugees prior to their return, resettlement or repatriation, and to affected communities to reduce casualties and provide reports on victims to assist efforts to achieve greater cross/border integration;
  
  
• Provision of support to landmine survivors by assisting and reporting to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in an effort to reintegrate landmine survivors into society;
  
  
• Provision of support to landmine survivors by assisting and reporting to the MoH to identify landmine/UXO victims, and to develop the national capacities for VA.

3.4.10 Multi-sector

At the end of March 2005, Uganda was hosting 234,491 refugees; 49% female and 51% male -- mainly Sudanese, Congolese, Rwandans and other ethnic groups in smaller numbers. UNHCR's programme objectives for 2005: (1) to provide international protection and assistance to all refugees, with special attention paid to the newly arrived refugees from DRC and Sudan; (2) to pursue durable solutions for Sudanese and Rwandan refugees in terms of voluntary repatriation and local integration as well as resettlement, and (3) to assist the refugees to attain increased self-reliance and continue working towards the integration of refugee services into the national service structure. Assistance is provided in the designated refugee settlements on a multi-sectoral basis, which comprise food (donated by WFP), health, water and sanitation, education, community services, shelter and infrastructure. It is hoped that if further resources are made available, crop production and livestock sectors will be reintroduced.

The LRA conflict continues to affect the refugee hosting areas in the northern districts and, as a result, refugees living alongside the local populations are displaced, their crops are difficult to access and overall implementation of planned activities is disrupted. Following the signing of the Machakos Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the SPLA on 9 January 2005, plans for the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees are being prepared. The refugees have expressed their desire to return after basic infrastructure is put in place. The planned figure for 2005 is 6,000 individuals. Simultaneously, LRA activities in the Sudan are leading to the arrival of new Sudanese refugees. In 2004 there were 10,000 new arrivals and over 4,000 between January and April 2005.

The unstable situation in the DRC, particularly in the eastern region bordering Uganda, has caused Congolese refugees to enter Uganda. Over 6,000 newly arrived refugees have been relocated from the border to Kyaka II settlement in 2005. In 2004, 2,500 newly arrived refugees have relocated to the same settlement. A contingency plan has been prepared to deal with a possible massive influx of Congolese refugees. Rwandan refugees were expected to repatriate. However, only 600 have so far returned to Rwanda. They indicated lack of land, fear of the Gacaca process, arbitrary arrest, and lack of infrastructure as obstacles to their return. In the last weeks of April 2005, over 1,000 Rwandans arrived in Uganda claiming to flee from the Gacaca courts.

The initial financial allocation for 2005 is proving inadequate to meet the existing and emerging requirements of the refugees. An emergency project has been approved for the Congolese and additional funds have also been made available for the Sudanese repatriation operation. It is hoped that funding will be increased after an operational review of the refugee programme in June. Emphasis will continue on ensuring the international protection of refugees, the pursuit of durable solutions and the provision of emergency assistance to newly arrived refugees. This includes support to the SRS-Development Assistance to Refugees (DAR) programme and strengthening the working relationship with the Government of Uganda, United Nations partners, NGOs, and donors.

3.4.11 Protection, human rights, rule of law

A period of relative calm (November 2004 to February 2005) saw a reduction in LRA attacks and a decline in the number of night commuters from a peak of 50,000 in August 2004 to about 30,000 in February and then again a rise to 41,000 in April. There was also a steady decline in the numbers of abducted children (it is estimated that between 100 and 200 children were abducted, most of whom have returned). Improved access by humanitarian organisations has led to greater awareness of the extent of protection concerns in camps. Research in Gulu suggests that as many as 25% of night commuting children leave home because of family problems rather than fear of the LRA. High-risk strategies to secure livelihoods and safety remain common, exposing IDPs to risks from both the LRA and the UPDF. Inter-agency assessments indicate that hundreds of boys have been voluntarily recruited into Local Defence Unit (LDU) militia and the UPDF. Another high-risk strategy -- transactional sex with soldiers, traders and other persons with income -- continues. A recent evaluation of Gulu Support the Children Organisation (GUSCO) Reception Centre revealed that only 30% of the children passing through the centre actually received follow-up and monitoring. It is further estimated that as many as 70% of formerly abducted children are no longer living with their parents.

Progress made

There has been significant progress in improving protection coordination and capacity, including the setting up of monitoring mechanisms to address operational protection issues. UNICEF has deployed two more international child protection officers, one protection officer and one consultant in the field. Capacity for further promotion and protection of human rights is set to expand with the deployment of six OHCHR officers and another UNICEF protection officer. A number of international NGOs have established new child protection programmes. Nevertheless, the protection capacity as a whole still remains a serious concern and there is an urgent need for more NGOs to be involved in protection if current programming is to be significantly expanded.

Progress has also been made towards strengthening mechanisms for the protection of the most vulnerable children as well as improving conditions for night commuters in Kitgum. Family tracing and support to the reunification of formerly abducted children has improved. A programme of basic skills training/livelihoods for adolescents has started in Kitgum and Pader and will be expanded in coming months to Gulu and Lira reaching 20,000 adolescents. Common GoU inter-agency principles for work with formerly abducted and other vulnerable children have been defined. Operational consensus among child protection partners on establishing coordinated, integrated, and camp-based vulnerability identification and response mechanisms was achieved in April. Support to the reintegration of adult returnees from the LRA remains limited and there is growing awareness that the protection of girls with children born in captivity remains very inadequate.

3.4.12 Safety and security of staff and operations

In the first three months of 2005, the United Nations staff has not been the direct target of an attack by the LRA. The United Nations presence is still expanding with more staff and new offices throughout the conflict area. There has been progress on the priorities set down in the CAP 2005, in that the Deputy Field Security Coordination Officer (DFSCO) began work in March 2005, and some headway is being made to gain increased access to the IDPs, especially in Gulu district where 18 of the 51 IDP camps are normally open for United Nations staff to access without the requirement for armed escort. Further, the road from Gulu to Kitgum is open for the United Nations traffic for the first time since September 2002.

Positive indicators

• Increased availability of access to IDP camps for UN staff with and without escort.
  
  
• Operational deployment of two UNICEF armoured vehicles, available to all humanitarian agencies.
  
  
• Deployment of a UN security officer to the conflict area.
  
  
• Opening of the Gulu-Kitgum road for UN staff.
  
  
• Return of former LRA commanders Sam Kolo and Onen Kamdulu and their participation in a traditional cleansing ceremony to forgive them and 80 other former LRA fighters.
  
  
• Continued dialogue between LRA leadership and Ms Betty Bigombe.

Negative indicators

• In mid-February, the LRA attacked an MSF vehicle in Amuru, Gulu district: none was injured but property was stolen.
  
  
• The LRA returned to committing body mutilations.
  
  
• An increase in the level of LRA attacks on civilians and the UPDF, compared to the last six months of 2004, notably November and December, when incidents were greatly reduced.
  
  
• Violence in Karamoja has continued.
  
  
• The United Nations is still not 100% Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) compliant, especially in the areas of transport and communications deficiencies.
  
  
• The Project (UGA-05/S01) failed to raise any funds. The approximate cost for the second half of 2005 would be US$ 35,000.

3.4.13 Water and sanitation

Since November 2004 there has been an increase in the amount of water available for IDPs. The shortfalls are worse where camp populations exceed 10,000 persons, as the water requirements easily outstrip the potential production from the limited number of point sources available. Only in the older smaller camps, which host about a quarter of the IDP population in Gulu and Kitgum, are moderate supplies available (10-15 litres/person/day). Most IDPs use unsafe sources, and the provision of sanitary facilities remains poor. Against the Sphere Standards of one latrine stance for 20 persons and the Ugandan school standard of one for 40 pupils, coverage ranges from 15% in Kitgum, 19% in the night commuter centres in Gulu, to 43% in the registered camps in Gulu (and 64% in schools there). Presently there is a looming humanitarian crisis in the Karamoja region owing to cyclical droughts, and therefore the need for the Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) sector to clearly assess the situation and response required.

Progress made: The uptake and scaling up of powered reticulated water supply systems continues to increase as does the implementation of water point sources in the form of drilled/rehabilitated boreholes. With regard to sanitation, latrine construction kits will be distributed in the camps, where camp administrators will organise weekly sanitation days. Issues in the sanitation sector that require urgent attention include the high rate of filling up of the latrines and the scarcity of land to build new latrines. WES actions are critical in stemming the cholera epidemics and the increased/treated water supply in Pabbo Camp was found crucial in preventing the cholera from further spreading.

Key Priorities remain, and in addition the water crisis in the drought stricken Karamoja region should be addressed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Executive Summary

2 Changes in the Context and Humanitarian Consequences

3 Review of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP)

3.1 Summary
3.1a Impact of funding levels on CHAP implementation
3.2 Scenarios
3.2.1 Best-case scenario
3.2.2 Worst case scenario
3.2.3 Most likely scenario
3.3 Strategic Priorities
3.4 Response plans
3.4.1 Agriculture
3.4.2 Coordination and support services
3.4.3 Economic recovery and infrastructure
3.4.4 Education
3.4.5 Family shelter and non food items
3.4.6 Food
3.4.7 Health
3.4.8 HIV/AIDS
3.4.9 Mine action
3.4.10 Multi-sector
3.4.11 Protection, human rights, rule of law
3.4.12 Safety and security of staff and operations
3.4.13 Water and sanitation

4 Money and projects

5 Conclusion
5.1 Outlook for 2006

6 Project sheets for new and revised projects

ANNEX I
Table I. Summary of Requirements and Contributions by Appealing Organisations and by Sector

ANNEX II
Acronyms and Abbreviations

Note: The full text of this appeal is available on-line in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format and may also be downloaded in zipped MS Word format.

Volume 1 - Full Original Mid-Term Review [pdf*format] [zipped MS Word format]

* Get the Adobe Acrobat Viewer (free)

For additional copies, please contact:

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Palais des Nations
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
CH - 1211 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: (41 22) 917.1972
Fax: (41 22) 917.0368
E-Mail: cap@reliefweb.int