Karamoja Resilience Support Unit II (KRSU II) Quarter 3 Report FY 2023

The overall goal of the program is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of development assistance in the Karamoja region. KRSU II emphasizes the use of existing and new evidence to guide policy and programming in Karamoja and works closely with the Government of Uganda (GOU) to strengthen their capacity for coordination. The program has three objectives: Objective 1, Objective 2, and Objective 3. Objective 1: Turn Evidence into Action (50% LOE) focuses on generating and disseminating new evidence, as well as reviewing significant bodies of existing Karamoja research to inform GOU, donors, partners, USAID, and other stakeholders, and guide the development planning and delivery in Karamoja. Objective 2: Promote and Foster Collective Action (20% LOE) supports the coordination of GOU, development actors, and humanitarian partners, including support to and promotion of Karamoja networks of both agencies and staff, identifying potential areas for collective action, and actively supporting existing collaborations. Objective 3: Improve GOU Coordination to Implement Development Plans (30% LOE) broadens support to the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs (MoKA) to better coordinate with district and sub-county leadership to operationalize the Karamoja Integrated Development Plan III (KIDP), guide investments, and share results. The KRSU II works to enhance the GOU's capacity to assume this coordination and transfer this role to them as appropriate. During the 3rd quarter of the 4th year plan, covering April to June 2023, the KRSU II completed the study on grazing and water resources management in Karamoja. This study aimed to document local and traditional systems for water source and grazing resource management, as well as provide crop yield and harvest estimates. The study found that local and traditional systems for water source and grazing resource management are crucial for the resilience of pastoralist communities in Karamoja. However, these systems are facing challenges due to climate change, land degradation, and competition for resources. The study recommended the development of a comprehensive plan to support the conservation and sustainable management of grazing and water resources in Karamoja. In addition to the study, the KRSU II also conducted a review of the humanitarian crisis in Karamoja, which highlighted the need for a coordinated response to address the root causes of the crisis. The review recommended the establishment of a humanitarian coordination mechanism to facilitate the response efforts. The KRSU II also provided technical support to the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs (MoKA) to operationalize the Karamoja Integrated Development Plan III (KIDP). This support included the development of a coordination framework and the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system to track progress towards the plan's objectives. Furthermore, the KRSU II supported the Karamoja Development Partners Group (KDPG) in its efforts to promote collective action among development actors in Karamoja. This support included the organization of a regional conference on education in the pastoral areas, which brought together stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for education in Karamoja. Overall, the KRSU II made significant progress in the 3rd quarter of the 4th year plan, covering April to June 2023. The program's activities focused on generating and disseminating new evidence, promoting collective action, and improving GOU coordination to implement development plans in Karamoja.