Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
4 December 2008
Kampala — THE Government and humanitarian agencies yesterday launched an appeal for $225m (sh416b) to help displaced and needy people in the north.
A total of 146,000 refugees are also set to benefit.
The 2009 Consolidated Appeal targets international agencies and developed countries which have previously contributed to the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for the north.
The Minister for Relief and Preparedness, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, said the initiative would help 1.6 million Ugandans in Acholi, Karamoja, West Nile and Teso regions.
He said the humanitarian situation had improved, prompting a reduction of funds required.
The improvement, Kabwegyere said, follows the cessation of hostilities between the Lord's Resistance Army and the Government since August 2006.
The minister was addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
The Consolidated appeal process is a mechanism used by the humanitarian agencies to generate funds and coordinate aid for poor countries.
Last year, Uganda appealed for $378m to resettle displaced persons. This year, the Government will focus on providing basic services, enhancing food security and strengthening capacity for disaster preparedness.
Of the $225m required, Acholi needs, $102.4m, Karamoja, $77.2m, Teso $12.2m and West Nile $28.6m.
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator, Theophane Nikyema, said 40% of the fund would go to Acholi, 20% to Karamoja, 13% to West Nile, 5% to Teso and refugees will get 27%.
He added that the 800,000 people in Karamoja who risk starving would be assisted to stabilise food supplies and improve nutritional security.
The fund will also help relocate 605,000 people in Acholi to their villages.
A total of 60,160 people will be resettled in Teso, while 146,000 refugees in 11 settlements will be assisted under the programme.
Last year, the leading contributions were from the European Union, the US, Japan, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Italy and Denmark.
Uganda's appeal is one of the 12 approved by the United Nations Secretariat for Humanitarian Affairs.
A total of 31 other countries are seeking $7b to provide humanitarian aid to 30 million people worldwide.
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