In
Uganda, DCA has been implementing a joint project with the UNHCR to Increased
self-reliance through cash interventions and livelihood support to
conflict-affected South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi
refugee settlement and around host communities in Yumbe District. DCA is
working with the 2,040 households identified as a vulnerable farmers as in 68 farmer groups (30
beneficiaries in each group) who will be supported with livelihoods protection
multi-purpose cash grants during the lean season while at the same time building
their capacity through training on improved agronomic practices and
agricultural inputs.
DCA
is facilitating to develop the linkage with agro-shop private sector service
for refugees and host communities in West Nile. The main objective of this
linkage intervention is to provide quality seeds and tools for agriculture
production. The privet sector vendors have provided seeds and tools in the
targeted area of DCA projects operation. Seed and tools vendors from the different
areas mobilized as in the targeted refugee settlements and host communities. DCA
is providing two types of vouchers to the selected beneficiaries refugee
settlement and host community. One is fixed commodities from vegetables,
cereal crops, and tools and another is an open value voucher. The targeted
beneficiaries could radium the voucher with agro-venders in their respective location
during the seeds and tools fairs.
Through
the market fair, a seed and tools voucher is a means for accessing the required
seeds by the targeted farmers for immediate planting in their garden. Many
refugees cannot establish their gardens, due to the lack of seed in
their homes. They had been growing similar crops in their home in South
Sudan. They have on-hand experience in agriculture activities. DCA Uganda with the
support of UNHCR has provided the seed and tools voucher to the selected
beneficiaries. DCA is promoting quick maturing and drought-tolerant crop
varieties are supporting their livelihood, nutritionally rich, and culturally
acceptable in the selected groups. DCA has mobilized the private sector seed
vendors from Yumbe, Koboko, and Arua as an open market system for accessing the
seeds and tools in their community/village. DCA has provided the seed voucher
to the selected beneficiaries. Those beneficiaries, having seed vouchers, get
seeds and tools from those private-sector seed vendors in the refugee settlement.
Refugee beneficiary communities in Zone 5, Bidibidi Yumbe District which started a Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) Scheme, using a “water bottle” as their “saving box”, has grown their savings and started offering loans to members. The group that initially started with 6 members, now has 30 members in total. The group boosts a total saving amounting to three million, one hundred thousand Uganda Shillings (3.1M Ugx) and have so far lent out one million, five hundred thousand Uganda shillings (1.5M Ugx).
The project intervention that aims to improve the livelihoods of at least 600 South Sudan refugees and host communities is supported by DanChurchAid and UNHCR.
#DCA #UNHCR #Livelihoods #CVA
