Early Recovery Coordination and Response in Lango Region
Background
In 2006, UNDP and the Lira District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) led an inter-agency rapid needs assessment in all areas of return in Lira district (91 parishes in 14 sub-counties) to identify assistance gaps for early recovery interventions. The assessments were also aimed at devising strategies to strengthen local capacities to support early recovery efforts. The results of this exercise suggested that livelihood activities, beyond agricultural food security needs, were either weak or non-existent.
Factors, beyond emergency needs, that augment the difficulties of the returned population in Lango are: i) stunted productive capacity, and lack of: (ii) diversification of economic opportunities, iii) savings or access to credit, iv) business and marketing training, v) access to markets, and vi) vocational training. Most of the displaced populations lost their livestock, and tools for any sort of production are scarce. In addition, formerly existing associations such as farmer groups or savings groups have dispersed. The assessment also provided information on the loss of natural resources through deforestation with associated negative impact in the climate and rainfall patterns, and the loss of valuable tree resources such shea nut trees to charcoal burning.
Development objectives
The objectives of the coordination and ER response components of the project are, respectively: i) to provide effective coordination support to partner agencies and government, and to advocate for adherence to UNDP recovery and development principles with a view to enhance community recovery, reintegration of conflict affected population, and good governance and human security; and ii) to achieve sustainable development in return areas of Lango sub-region through enhancing livelihoods.
Activities & expected results
Upon implementation, the project is expected to yield the following outputs:
i) recovery gaps in the transitional phase from humanitarian assistance to development assistance are identified and filled both at national and district level through providing strong coordination support to UN agencies, government and NGOs;
ii) coordination framework and response capacity are strengthened through effective implementation of early recovery cluster approach;
iii) more effective programmes are delivered by strengthening synergies between Units in the UNDP Country Office;
iv) the social economic conditions of 3,000 returnee IDPs is stabilized, and ability of community associations to manage available resources in a sustainable manner is improved;
v) household income is increased by 25% through promotion of diverse sustainable livelihoods that result in higher standards of living among target returnees; vi) community self-reliance and participation is increased by establishing functional social cohesion and coping structures; and
vii) IDP community partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, CBOs, the private sector and markets are strengthened.
