1. Background
1.1. The impact of conflict in northern Uganda
Over 22 years of conflict have had a devastating impact on the population in northern Uganda. At the height of insecurity (between 2001-2003) almost 2 million people were internally displaced. Over 20,000 children have been abducted by the Lords Resistance Army since 1996 and several thousand remain unaccounted for. HIV prevalence in the North is reported to be approximately twice that in other parts of Uganda and poverty levels are far higher than the national average. Government services and capacity are extremely weak and the recruitment and retention of key staff for public services is a major problem. As a result of insecurity and consequent economic deprivation, purchasing power and economic activity outside the main urban centres is low.
Since peace talks began the situation has improved dramatically. Almost one million people have now either returned to their homes, or are living in smaller settlements close to their land and have begun to resume productive activity. The process of recovery in northern Uganda is, however, likely to be lengthy and there are significant constraints to the successful return of IDP’s. In many areas of return access to basic services (e.g. water, health, education) is poor, there is little infrastructure and in many return locations the availability of safe water is minimal. Most IDP’s lack start up capital to help them purchase agricultural inputs and essential household items and there are poor linkages to input and output markets.
1.2. Government of Uganda policy
In October 2007 the Government of Uganda (GoU) launched a three year Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) for northern Uganda. The PRDP has four strategic objectives: (1) consolidation of state authority, (2) rebuilding and empowering communities, (3) revitalisation of the northern economy and; (4) peace building and reconciliation.
Whilst funding modalities for the PRDP are still under development all major Development Partners in Uganda have signalled their support for it as a framework for coordination and concerted action under Government leadership and ownership. Development Partners are currently considering their own funding intentions and aid instruments. Some intend to provide funds through existing or modified budget support instruments while others hope to align existing projects and activities with the PRDP Framework. The UN intends to realign the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for 2009 to reflect PRDP priorities and the evolving situation on the ground.
1.3. Royal Norwegian Embassy’s strategy
The Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) has been closely involved in Northern Uganda through the funding of humanitarian programmes, support to the peace process, and return and recovery. Through its budget support to the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) and its relationship with the GoU and other development partners the RNE has also consistently pressed for increased Government attention and funding for northern Uganda and for existing resource allocations to be used effectively. Norway, together with other development partners, is currently considering notional earmarked budget support to the PRDP. At the same time, Norway will continue its support to humanitarian activities and early recovery through Non Governmental Organisations and UN-agencies, during the transition period.
1.4. Interest in Cash Transfers to support return and recovery
In 2006 the RNE, in consultation with several other Development Partners, began investigating the feasibility of supporting the IDP return and resettlement process through the provision of cash transfers to those returning home. A consultant(s), Simon Levine, was contracted to explore this issue and his findings concluded that cash based programming in the northern Uganda socio-political/economic environment was both possible and could play a useful role in the recovery process. Levine recommended that a number of such interventions should be supported as a means of both underpinning the recovery process and of enabling lesson learning in terms of best practice and impact.
In late 2007 Acacia Consultants Ltd were contracted to make a further assessment of cash based programmes and markets in northern Uganda. The assessment was intended to: (a); help identify potential programme principles, purpose, and objectives; (b) to identify and define operational approaches and potential implementing partners; and, (c) to identify monitoring and evaluation principles and mechanisms. Acacia were also asked to develop Terms of Reference that would enable potential implementing partners to submit bids to deliver the programmes objectives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
