Fiscal Year 2012: Title II Request for Applications Title II Development Programs in Uganda

The initiative is focused on reducing food insecurity among chronically food insecure households, with a particular emphasis on the Karamoja region. This region is characterized by frequent drought, insecurity, and under-development, with stunting rates among children under five years of age at 54 percent. The Karamoja region is comprised of seven districts in northeast Uganda, including Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Amudat, and Nakapiripirit. The region's food security is hampered by conflict spilling over from Karamoja, which affects neighboring districts such as Katakwi, Amuria, and Kitgum. These districts have significant potential for increased crop and livestock production, which can contribute to food security in Karamoja. The Title II development program in Uganda is designed to support the Government of Uganda's Karamoja Integrated Disarmament and Development Program (KIDDP). The program will focus on strengthening livelihoods and improving nutrition among children under five, with a dual track effort to address the underlying causes of hunger and undernutrition. The program will also align with the USAID/Uganda Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Special Objective 1, "Peace and security improved in Karamoja." The development program priority component I, strengthening livelihoods, will include interventions such as diversifying livelihood assets and opportunities, promoting improved technologies and practices, increasing market access, information, and orientation, enhancing resiliency and risk management, and improving natural resource management. Proposed interventions should be guided by a thorough market analysis to ensure sufficient demand exists to sustainably support the increased production of any livestock or agricultural-related products. The development program priority component II, improving nutrition among children under five, will focus on a community-based preventive approach, including improving infant and young child feeding practices, preventing and treating childhood illnesses, improving maternal health and nutrition in pregnant and lactating women, enhancing access to clean water/sanitation, and improving hygiene practices. Food rations will need to support and complement the proposed interventions for priority components I and II. The program will be implemented over a period of up to five years, with a total budget of approximately $15-20 million annually. The program will be implemented in collaboration with the Government of Uganda, other development actors, and local communities. The program will also work with and through district government systems to build the capacity of local government to address the root causes of food insecurity.