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Uganda + 1 more

WFP Uganda Country Brief, August 2017

Attachments

Highlights

  • WFP is quickly running out of funds to provide food and nutrition assistance to 1.1 refugees living in the settlements. The operation requires USD 70.7 million for the next six months (September 2017 – February 2018).

  • WFP is providing protective rations during the lean season to households with people receiving nutrition assistance for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition to reduce ration sharing and subsequently improve MAM treatment recovery rates.

Operational Updates

  • WFP is quickly running out of funds to provide food and nutrition assistance to 1.1 million refugees. Despite the continued support from traditional and new donors, and new contributions received in recent months, the operation requires USD 70.7 million for the next six months (September 2017 -February 2018) to meet the increasing refugee needs. Expected contributions, if made available in time, will enable WFP to purchase food from the local markets during the harvest season.

  • A WFP-led food assessment conducted in June/July in Karamoja region found that about 46 percent of the households in the region are food insecure, of which 9 percent were severely food insecure. There is a slight improvement this year, compared to the same period last year, where 50 percent of households were found to be food insecure, 12 percent of them being extremely food insecure. However, the prevalence of malnutrition increased to 13.8 percent compared to 11 percent in 2016.

  • WFP is providing protective rations to households with members receiving nutrition assistance for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in Karamoja region. Since May 2017, when the programme started, a total of 25,000 people (5,000 households) have received the protective rations. Protective household rations are provided to food insecure households during the lean season to reduce sharing of specialized nutritious foods meant for treatment of MAM. In addition, the rations increase enrollment and recovery rates of the treatment programme.

  • WFP continues to provide technical support to the Government in the set-up of the single registry, which is expected to improve delivery of social protection programmes. Registration has been finalized in Moroto, Napak and Ka’abong districts, and will begin in Kotido/Abim in mid-September. It is expected that the entire region (seven districts) will be finalized by the end of the year with the registration of approximately 1 million people. The registration exercise adopts a clustered – census style approach and captures details of all household members as well as taking biometrics and photos for those aged 5 years and above. Once finalized, it is expected that the single registry will improve the delivery of efficient, effective and transparent assistance by the Government and its partners.

Partnerships

  • In support of SDG2 to end hunger, WFP works with other UN agencies, international and national NGOs, academia and the private sector to ensure a multi-sectoral and sustainable approach to programming.