1. Development and humanitarian coordination issues to be considered in Karamoja UN OCHA Presentation Issues of Pastoralism Conference- Leuphana University,Luneberg, 24 th October 2008

2. Overview Development and humanitarian context Issues of current concern Coordination matters Humanitarian and development advocacy

3. Context 1 Karamoja- a region with the worst development indicators in Uganda with access to services poorer than many of the IDP camps in northern Uganda. An agro- pastoralist area which is politically and economically marginalised. 80% of the population living in poverty 11% o f the population – literate Highest HIV infection rates in Uganda Highest levels of infant and maternal mortality in Uganda Child malnutrition in Kaabong, Moroto and Nakapiripirit has been over the WHO emergency threshold of 10% in 2007-8. 700, 000 people on food aid in 2008 Increasingly frequent climatic shocks – exacerbating food security Chronic insecurity as a result of cattle raiding, high levels of small arms ownership and punitive army operations. High levels of gender based violence.

4. Context 2 The 5 districts of Karamoja suffer severe shortages of technical staff and a weak civil society presence. Low levels of private sector and infrastructure development. The people of Karamoja are considered to be the least informed population within Uganda 9 UN agencies present – very small INGO presence. Inchoate policy arena – PRDP and the KIDDP

5. FEB 2008 MOH,UNICEF,WFP assessment in 5 districts 10.9% GAM for all region but Moroto and Nakapiripirit extremely high for that time of year at >15% GAM APRIL 2008 MSF-Spain rapid assessment in Moroto and Nakapiripirit GAM 18%, SAM 3% JUNE 2008 MSF-H supported by UNICEF large-scale screening Weight for Height and Z- Score 10 Locations, 5330 children 9.5% SAM Less than 1% with complications Emergency Levels of Undernutrition

6. Causes of Acute Malnutrition Karamoja is structurally vulnerable to humanitarian crises due to underdevelopment But focus is on the immediate crisis and its causes – inadequate dietary intake and disease

7. Context 2 The 5 districts of Karamoja suffer severe shortages of technical staff and a weak civil society presence. Low levels of private sector and infrastructure development. The people of Karamoja are considered to be the least informed population within Uganda 9 UN agencies present – very small INGO presence. Inchoate policy arena – PRDP and the KIDDP

8. Issues of concern Increased regularity of droughts High dependence on food aid – possibly 90% of the population will need food aid in 2009 Demographic pressures and urbanisation Insufficient investment in key services including livestock Out- migration Weak local government presence in many districts – inadequate judicial structures, shortages of key staff in health, livestock,education. (“ militarisation” of civil justice). Marginalisation of traditional structures A range of protection and human rights concerns – deaths and abductions in cattle raids, army cordon and search operations, detentions of youths, migration constraints, protected kraals, gender based violence

9. Coordination in Karamoja Coordination is an essential activity to: To enhance development and humanitarian planning To highlight the needs of vulnerable groups To assess gaps in service delivery To promote advocacy and to secure funds Districts are expected to lead on coordination – in Karamoja this is only a partial success mainly as result of inadequate capacity. Under the UN Humanitarian Reform Programme, Uganda became a pilot programme where cluster coordination was introduced. This has also been only a partial success in Karamoja. Key coordination structure is the DDMC – meetings are being held more frequently – between District officials, UN and NGOs Sector/cluster coordination – working in some sectors in some districts, but there remain significant gaps.

10. Humanitarian and development advocacy Some priorities: The need to raise the profile of Karamoja in Uganda and internationally. Consolidated Appeal (CAP) Developing data – Who does what where?, assessments, analysis The need to encourage more investment in key livelihood areas such as livestock support and agricultural settlement Adapt service delivery to pastoralist movement – education and health care To strengthen protection systems. Improve the engagement between Karamojong political and social structures with policy makers and development agencies