ReliefWeb

Appeal Number: 6464
Appeal Amount: $25,000
Situation Report

For 16 years, the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) has continued to terrorize the people of northern Uganda in an area commonly known as Acholi land. The LRA has been notorious in abducting children whom they have turned into child soldiers and, in the case of young girls, as sex slaves. The LRA has carried out widespread destruction of property, reportedly killed hundreds of people and have been responsible for massive displacements of people. Most of the displaced people have been living in camps since the rebellion started in 1986.

In mid 2002, the Sudanese government cooperated with the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) to rout out the LRA from their bases inside southern Sudan and help liberate the hundreds of children captured by the LRA and used as child soldiers. The operation, code named Operation Iron Fist (OIF), failed to achieve its objectives and the LRA re-entered northern Uganda from its bases in Sudan and went on a rampage. More than 3,000 homes -- mainly mud brick huts -- were destroyed in 13 IDP camps, causing further displacement of more than 40,000 people from the district of Gulu alone. In Kitgum and Pader districts, the number was estimated at 4,000; a Sudanese refugee camp was also attacked with more than 152 people reported killed and 10,000 additional refugees scattered. The displaced have been described as living in deplorable and inhuman conditions, deprived of the most basic humanitarian needs.

Emergency Appeal

CWS is responding with support to its local partner, the Church of Uganda. While the entire Acholi land had been affected by this emergency situation, the church, working through the dioceses of Northern Uganda and Kitgum, is targeting its response to 41,711 people in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts. The response includes non-food items (kitchen sets, blankets, and water jerry cans), seeds and tools, and relief food.

SPECIFICS: The goal of this response is to provide immediate emergency relief items to the displaced people in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader; specific objectives are to assist 5,600 women, 3,215 men and 12,041 children. Response includes: 5,000 jerry cans (one per family); 10,000 plastic plates (six plastic plates per target family); 10,000 plastic bowls (three plastic bowls per target family); 10,000 plastic basins (two plastic basins per target family); 10,000 sauce pans (two saucepans per target family); 15,000 plastic cups (6 plastic cups per target family); 15,000 blankets (three blankets per target family); 10,000 hoes (two per target family); 10,000 bags of plant materials for sweet potatoes (two bags per target family). Distribution is expected to take place through March.

BUDGET: total budget is: $219,393 which includes $171,782 for direct assistance and $19,024 in material transport and storage. Other expenses include operational costs, travel, vehicle maintenance and audit.

CWS-ERP is seeking $25,000 from its denominational members for this appeal. For more specific information, including budget information, contact CWS ERP. Or go to the ACT web site: www.act-intl.org

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, Uganda Emergency Relief #6464 (Ref#: AFUG-31), P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Phone pledges or credit card donations: 1-800-297-1516.

On-line contributions to: www.churchworldservice.org

Contact

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516.
donnajderr@aol.com
www.cwserp.org