US earmarks sh274b to improve nutrition in Karamoja

The US, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has earmarked $75m (sh274b) towards improving food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region.

The US government in a statement on April 5, announced the launch of two new five-year activities to improve food and nutrition security in and to strengthen resilience of over 665,000 people in Karamoja.

"Karamoja is the most nutritionally vulnerable region in Uganda and the third most vulnerable to stunting in East Africa. Despite relative peace in the region after decades of conflict and instability, high levels of poverty as well as food and nutrition insecurity remain a significant barrier to development," a statement from the US embassy in Kampala said.

The US said the five-year activities will focus on improving health and nutrition, on and off-farm livelihoods, local governance and civil society, and water, sanitation and hygiene conditions. Both activities will strategically invest in the region's future:  youth and adolescents.

Catholic Relief Services and its partners will implement the Nuyok Activity (a Nga'karimojong word meaning "it is ours") in the western districts of Abim, Nakapiripirit and Napak.

Mercy Corps and partners will implement the Apolou Activity (meaning "growth" or "it is growing" in Nga'karimojong) in the eastern districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto and Amudat.

USAID looks forward to supporting activities that work hand-in-hand with the communities and local government to build an empowered Karamoja where all communities thrive.  The activities are made possible by the support of the American