On 4 December 2008, the Government and humanitarian community in Uganda jointly launched the 2009 Consolidated Appeal for Uganda (CAP 2009, seeking US$ 225,288,099 to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of some 1.6 million vulnerable individuals.

Built upon separate regional response plans for the Acholi, Teso, Karamoja and West Nile/Western Uganda (refugee-hosting) sub-regions that reflect the different contexts and needs in each area, the CAP 2009 directs international action towards the achievement of one or more of the three strategic objectives agreed by all regions. The strategic objectives are: 

1.  To supplement Government efforts to provide basic social services that save lives and alleviate suffering, as the basis for achievement of the three durable solutions;

2.  To enhance food and nutritional security that saves lives and alleviates suffering and to kick-start livelihoods;

3.  To contribute to the strengthening of district capacity for emergency preparedness and response.

The 2009 appeal has been developed in line with the strategic framework provided by the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) for Northern Uganda.

In the Acholi sub-region, the area of northern Uganda most affected by the twenty-plus year conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), approximately 605,000 people are due to receive humanitarian assistance under the CAP 2009, particularly the internally displaced persons (IDPs) remaining in camps, and especially the most vulnerable groups and individuals, including children, female- and child-headed households, older persons and the chronically ill, among others.

In the Teso sub-region, where the vulnerability of the significant proportion of the population of Amuria and Katakwi Districts displaced by LRA aggression was exacerbated by Karimojong raiding and the impact of the severe flooding in 2007, approximately 60,600 persons of special concern are targeted by the CAP 2009, including IDPs and the extremely vulnerable individuals (EVIs) remaining in camps, former IDPs and some part of the host communities to which they have returned.

In Karamoja, where a third consecutive year of extended dry spells/drought and failed harvest, coupled with devastating outbreaks of animal diseases, have left some 80% of the region’s population, or 800,000 people food insecure.

Additionally, more than 146,000 refugees living in Uganda require continued humanitarian support to achieve a voluntary and durable solution to their situation.

The CAP 2009 is a humanitarian document, representing the community’s understanding of the need for the most urgent and life-saving action. Given the shift from a humanitarian to a predominantly recovery and development footing across most of northern Uganda, the 2009 CAP represents a significant reduction from previous years: initial requests in 2009 are 40 per cent less than they were one year ago.

“The humanitarian needs highlighted in the CAP 2009 truly capture the life-saving and urgent issues for those in difficult circumstances in Uganda, especially in Karamoja, in return areas and refugee-hosting areas. The needs highlighted in the appeal must be addressed if the transition to recovery and development is to be sustained,” stressed the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Théophane Nikyema.

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