Page 20 - Aidlink Annual Report 2020

COUNTRY PROFILE UGANDA
Total spend
delivering programmes to some of the most vulnerable people in Uganda
€85,875 €40,641 2019 2020
1,350 people
helped in 2020
51%
of people helped were women
For the Karamojong community of northern Uganda, the Covid-19 crisis has caused immediate and serious impacts, including an emerging food security crisis.
The mainly rural population of Karamoja are traditionally nomadic pastoralists who depend on livestock and crop production for survival. Since 2010, following a large-scale government disarmament programme, Karamoja has experienced a period of relative security. Livestock herding recovered and active livestock markets were developed. Despite these positive developments, the people of Karamoja continued to report the worst human development and nutrition indicators in Uganda.
The Covid-19 crisis and public health restrictions have exacerbated the challenges already faced by this vulnerable community. With market closures, restricted travel and rising costs, families have reduced access to food and child malnutrition is on the rise.
As in Kenya, school closures have resulted in children being at home for prolonged periods, increasing the cost of household feeding and exposing girls to the risk of GBV. Pressures on income and food security increase the likelihood of girls being married off for a dowry, and never returning to school.
The pandemic has also led to increases in livestock theft and raids. Among the key contributing factors are:
• A reduced presence of security personnel because of their involvement in Covid-19 response activities.
• Public health restrictions that have prevented communities from recovering stolen livestock.
• The disruptive impacts of lockdown on livelihoods and incomes.
National elections in early 2021 were marred by violence
and contributed to the delay in reopening schools. A phased reopening of schools commenced in March 2021, although thousands of girls will not return to school having become pregnant or been married off in the intervening period.
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