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Highlights
In 2023, Uganda faced significant challenges including a nutrition crisis in the Karamoja sub region, disease outbreaks (Ebola, Cholera, Measles and Marburg), flooding, an attack on a school and refugee influx.
450,000 children were vaccinated against measles, while over 38,000 severely wasted children received treatment.
Additionally, 84,000 children, adolescents, and caregivers received mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, and more than 130,000 children accessed formal and non-formal education including early learning with support from UNICEF.
Following an attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese District, UNICEF assisted para-social workers, community development and social welfare officers to reach 2,055 children (944 boys, 1,111 girls) and 1,771 parents and caregivers with community-based psychosocial support.
64,900 people received adequate water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene.
UNICEF and its partners supported the provision of life-saving health care services to 933,330 children and women.
Moreover, UNICEF and partners offered appropriate alternative care services to 2,138 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC)
Despite funding challenges, UNICEF and partners achieved at least half of the planned targets due to strong partnerships and use of flexible funds.
Situation overview and humanitarian needs
Hydrometeorological hazards
Uganda experienced the consequences of natural disasters including the impacts of El Nino episodes during the September October November December (SOND) period. According to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the International Organization for Immigration (IOM), floods, drought, landslides, wildfires, heavy winds, and hailstorms were recorded in selected districts. A total of 222,351 people were affected, 35 per cent of them children resulting in the displacement of over 49,326 people. Reports indicated destruction of houses, disruption of service delivery at health facilities and contamination of water facilities. Prolonged dry spells and flooding triggered substantial increases in staple food prices, resulting in increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and protection risks.
Food insecurity in Karamoja region
In Karamoja, area-level acute food insecurity crisis (IPC1 Phase 3) outcomes continued to prevail until December, with some extremely poor households likely facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes due to increased food prices, sustained insecurity in the sub region and the prolonged lean season exacerbating levels of food insecurity. UNICEF provided preparedness and response support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the nine district local governments in Karamoja to mitigate the impact of such crisis and bolster the resilience of the region. As a result, about 22,000 severely wasted children (6-59 months) received treatment across the 140 health facilities in the sub region. This number is above the IPC projected Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases for 2023, totaling 19,655 children aged 6-59 months.
Despite these efforts, it is predicted that the crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes will continue to persist into 2024 due to minimal food stocks, severely weakened coping capacity, livestock asset depletion, and reduced purchasing power stemming from poor harvests. Consequently, heightened support is crucial in 2024 to avert the adverse effects of this crisis, including the rise in severe child wasting.
To enhance preparedness and timely response to acute malnutrition and food insecurity, UNICEF and partners (including WFP, WHO and FAO) supported nutrition assessments and surveillance activities in the sub region. UNICEF conducted the 2023 Karamoja Food Security and Nutrition Assessment (FSNA) which provided critical insights into the nutritional status of children under five and women. Additionally, to understand the magnitude of malnutrition and acute food insecurity in Karamoja, UNICEF supported the 2023 Integrated Phase Classification Crisis (IPC) analysis and dissemination.