EU gives north sh44b

Nov 10, 2006

THE European Union (EU) will next year release sh44b for the north. The money to be channelled through the European Commission (EC), will be given to NGOs operating in the region for rehabilitation and the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.

By Harriette Onyalla
THE European Union (EU) will next year release sh44b for the north. The money to be channelled through the European Commission (EC), will be given to NGOs operating in the region for rehabilitation and the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.

The NGOs will be funded through the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme under the Prime Minister’s Office.

The new head of EC, Vincent De-Visscher, yesterday said the funds would be used to promote the protection, legal aid, social work and psycho-social support of IDPs.

He was speaking during an information session for NGOs at the EC offices at Crested Towers, Kampala.

Part of the funds will be used to cater for education and vocational training for IDPs and food security.

De-Visscher (right) warned NGOs against using the efforts of development partners to help disadvantaged people in northern Uganda as an avenue to make money.

He said NGOs should instead aim at serving the people. “This is not business as usual. These funds show the commitment of the European Commission to make a difference in the life of people in northern Uganda, whose lives have been shattered by war. This is a golden opportunity for us to help.

“We want to partner with NGOs because of their expertise and professionalism in working with the people. However, all the actions that will be funded will be those that express the needs identified by communities,” he said.

Alex Okello from the Prime Minister’s Office said the implementation of the three-year programme would be monitored by the Government.




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