The French government has announced 535,000 euros (Shs2.1bn) in humanitarian and food aid assistance to the Karamoja sub-region in north-eastern Uganda.
This was announced by the French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Xavier Sticker, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, during a signing ceremony to officially launch the Aid Food Programme 2024 held at the French Residence in Nakasero, Kampala.
According to Ambassador Sticker, the French embassy is partnering with Acted in consortium with Caritas Moroto diocese to implement this new project.
“More than Shs2.1bn will be allocated to enhancing food security and nutritional health of 1,500 households, mostly targeting women and children, in Nakapiripirit and Amudat districts,” said Amb Sticker.
He highlighted the long-standing and successful partnership between the French Embassy in Uganda and ACTED.
“Indeed, this new project is a continuation of actions carried out by ACTED in the recent past and in the same area of intervention.”
He said in 2018, France financed the REVIVE (Regenerative Earthworks and Vegetation in Vulnerable Ecosystems) project implemented by ACTED, with the creation, in Nakapiripirit, of the REVIVE centre, an innovative structure designed to promote regenerative agriculture as well as sustainable resource management and farming among the district’s farmers.
“This nursery, now well-known and still in operation, was a veritable learning and demonstration centre for agroecology, agroforestry and permaculture, with a reach far beyond the Nakapiripirit district.”
He said a second project, financed under the Aid Food Programme 2022 (strengthening the resilience and nutritional well-being of the communities of Amudat and Nakapiripirit worth 500,000 euros) was subsequently implemented successfully by a consortium made up of ACTED and Food for the Hungry, a non-governmental organisation.
Specifically, ACTED and Caritas Moroto diocese will contribute to improving food security through agricultural practices for 1,500 vulnerable households.
According to Amb Sticker, this one-year project, which will start in August, will also aim to reduce the prevalence of stunting among children under 2 years old in targeted communities within the next year through targeted Maternal Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) interventions.
Changing lives
On her part, Amelia Savell-Boss, ACTED Country Director in Uganda, emphasized that inclusion was at the centre of the project.
She said in this regard, the Aid Food Programme 2024 will benefit 1,500 households, among 66% of women, with preference given to households with pregnant and/or lactating mothers and/or children under 24 months.
“In addition, the activities implemented by ACTED and Caritas Moroto diocese should benefit indirectly to 21,000 individuals, based on an estimated average of 700 people per target community.”
According to Amelia, the implemented activities will include access to cash transfer and cash for work for 1,500 highly vulnerable households; enhancing agricultural skills for livelihood and creating vegetable gardens for 1,080 highly vulnerable households; restoring degraded environment (reducing soil erosion, mitigating the effects of climate change, improving air and water quality.
Others are; improving the health and well-being of pregnant women and lactating mothers, caregivers and young children; sharing knowledge about maternal and young child feeding practices; bringing diverse nutritious foods and agricultural input to highly vulnerable households and promoting healthy eating habits in schools and raising awareness on nutritious diets in both households and schools.
Acted has been working in Uganda since 2007 and is familiar with the challenges that Ugandans face in their everyday lives and during more challenging times, such as during extended dry periods.
The organization is currently implementing projects in Nakasongola, Mbarara and Nakapiripirit Districts.
