PAST PROJECT
The project aimed to improve sustainable livelihoods of 120 rural poor households displaced in Kaperebyong Sub County, Amuria District.

Uganda is currently experiencing deepening poverty and inequality due to slow growth in agriculture and reduced produce prices. Effects of conflicts can also be seen in Northern Uganda and parts of the East including the Teso region. About 54% of the total population in these target areas have been resettled from internally displaced people's camps having been victims of the LRAs civil war and Karamojong cattle raids conflicts. With the relative peace apparently experienced as a result of government mitigation many people have returned to their villages. Upon return to their communities, families have been challenged with poverty, low household incomes, and severe food insecurity resulting from the long periods of almost no production. Recent floods have also ravished farm lands in attempts of producing their own food.

The project targeted communities affected by the insurgency of the war and cattle rustling in northern Uganda and eastern parts of the country in three sub counties in the Amuria district including Kaperebyong, Obalanga and Wera. These sub counties are faced with constraints in production that affect their ability to meet their basic minimum needs. The project contributed to an improvement in food production through working with the communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices, supporting them to acquire improved seed varieties and animal stock for improved productivity and promoting proper post handling practices. Gender issues that affect food production in homes were also addressed. In addition, the project team organized the community to participate in post war recovery through organizing and supporting the beneficiaries to work in groups, peace building and giving people affected by the war psychosocial support.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

The project targeted communities and households affected by the insurgency of the war, cattle rustling and floods in the Kaperebyong sub county, Amuria District. The people in the area are faced with constraints in production that affect their ability to have food security. The project worked with a total of 120 households each representing the family as a direct beneficiary that participated actively in the project.

Since each house had an average number of 6 people, this translated into a total of about 820 people who directly benefited. The community in general benefited from the knowledge in management of crops and animals, improved seed varieties of several crops, animal breeds and use of oxen cows to cultivate their land extensively on affordable cost.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

• Conducted a quick re-assessment of the beneficiaries before distribution of relief items to confirm the need in the 120 targeted households in the Kaperebyong Sub County, Amuria District.
  
• Supported 120 households in Kaperebyong Sub County, Amuria District with relief items in six months.
  
• Supported 120 floods and war affected households in Kaperebyong Sub County, Amuria District with farm inputs so as to contribute to increased food production.
  
• Built the capacity of 120 floods and war affected households in Kaperebyong Sub County, Amuria District in sustainable agriculture, new farming techniques and post harvest handling techniques to acquire knowledge in better farming practices in six months.
  
  

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

• Conducted consultative/planning meetings with the local leaders and other stakeholders to effectively plan for the interventions
  
• Conducted a rapid survey to identify the needy households
  
• Conducted feed back, mobilization and sensitization seminars.
  
• Purchased distribution of the relief items
  
• Trained targeted households in sustainable agriculture practises, new farming methods and post harvest handling techniques.
  
• Supported 120 households with 5 cows and 6 Oxens to assist in cultivation
  
• Provided farm technical support to the farmers to improve on farming practices
  
• Trained leaders and community focal persons and CATs in monitoring
  
• Evaluation: An internal evaluation was conducted to measure the project impact after the assignment.
  
• Reporting: At the end of the assignment, a six month was produced

Partner: Voluntary Action for Development (VAD)

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