Summary
Community Resilience and Dialogue is headed by the International Rescue Committee and implemented through a consortium of six international NGOs ? Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children Denmark and Save the Children UK. The CRD works with district authorities and local and national NGOs to provide psychosocial services, conflict resolution and HIV/AIDS services to victims of conflict. In line with Uganda's policy to decentralize services, the CRD facilitates the work of district government, national agencies and community-based organizations to help victims of violent conflict, abduction, displacement and torture. Efforts are made to build the capacity of local organizations to provide services with increasingly minimal CRD intervention, leading towards a timely and smooth exit of assistance by the close of the activity. Besides USAID, other donors contribute to the CRD including European governments and private charities.
Community Resilience and Psychosocial Support: Conflict affects the psychosocial well-being of society but must be addressed in family and community settings. Psychosocial well-being requires the security of family and community relationships and the existence of a safe and predictable environment. To rebuild disrupted communities and relationships, one must encourage each individual to be productive and active members of society. The CRD's approach to the reintegration of formerly abducted children and adults is holistic, addressing material, physical, psychological and social needs. It emphasizes reestablishing the returnee's productivity, physical health and relation to self, family and community.
Dialogue, Peacebuilding and Human Rights: It is vital to engage grassroots, middle-range and top leadership levels in conflict management dialogues in order to build a sustainable peace. The approach at each level is adapted to the leader's role in society. At the grassroots level, approaches to peace include local peace commissions, community training, prejudice reduction and psychosocial work in post-conflict trauma. Mid-level peacebuilding includes problem-solving workshops, conflict resolution training and formation of peace commissions. At the top level, peacebuilding includes engaging prominent military, political and religious leaders in national-level dialogue. Without national reconciliation -- built through regular development and promotion of trusted grassroots and mid-level networks -- sustainable national dialogue and peace cannot be achieved.
HIV/AIDS: Despite the Ugandan government's rapid recognition of the HIV/AIDS problem and positive steps it has taken to control spread of the disease, it is unlikely that HIV prevalence has been reduced in conflict-affected areas. HIV spreads fastest where poverty, social disenfranchisement and instability prevail, yet HIV/AIDS reduction requires different interventions from those in non-conflict areas.
Expected Results
- Increased psychosocial support and services for formerly abducted children, adult returnees, orphans and vulnerable children, and victims of torture
- Strengthened community networks for reintegration of formerly abducted children, adult returnees, orphans and vulnerable children, and victims of torture
- Increased educational, vocational and employment opportunities for conflict-affected populations, including formerly abducted children, adult returnees, orphans and vulnerable children, and victims of torture
- Strengthened capacity of parishes to achieve a sustainable peace
- Increased parish knowledge of dialogue, peacebuilding and human rights
- Strengthened capacity of local and national NGOs to implement a national peace dialogue
- Increased availability of accurate and timely HIV/AIDS data
- Improved district HIV/AIDS planning and data
- Increased client access to and utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment
Clients: Conflict-affected persons including formerly abducted children, ex-combatants, orphans and vulnerable children, victims of torture, youth and elder networks, child-headed households, young mothers, and persons affected by and living with HIV/AIDS
Geographic Targets: The districts of Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiritpirit, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Arua, Yumbe, Nebbi, Moyo, Adjumani, Kasese, Kabarole, Kamwenje, Kyenjojo and Bundibugyo
Project Duration: September 2002 -- September 2007
