Assistance to Displaced Communities in Uganda - Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief 2009

Despite an elusive conclusion to the peace process in Uganda the situation across much of conflict-affected northern Uganda continues to progress along the transition from humanitarian assistance to recovery and development. However poor access to life-saving basic services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the increasing frequency of natural disasters such as drought and flooding have impeded some of the progress. The humanitarian situation in Uganda remains complex with multiple emergencies existing side-by-side in different parts of the country. In total the target population for humanitarian organizations working in Uganda in 2009 is some 1.6 million individuals. CIDA's contribution is helping to support Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) in assisting IDP communities in Omot and Puranga Sub-counties facing post-flood emergency conditions for the second consecutive year. The project expects to help improve health conditions; avert serious food shortages; and increase emergency preparedness and resilience. To address immediate life-threatening cases of disease large-scale distributions of essential drugs is to be organized for the treatment of malaria diarrhea and respiratory tract infections. The project also aims to re-establish critical health response capacities; reduce exposure to contaminated waste and unhygienic conditions; and recover agricultural production in order to avert critical food shortages. The project is expected to reach over 42 400 beneficiaries including 17 900 vulnerable IDPs.