Partners
Ugandan Catholic Church
Catholic Relief Services Uganda's largest partner is the
Ugandan Catholic Church, with CRS relying on the Church's extensive network to implement development programs countrywide. CRS works with various Dioceses and Caritas offices to implement programs in microfinance, agro-enterprise, water and sanitation, and peacebuilding. In all projects, CRS is committed to partner capacity strengthening, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to serve the poor and marginalized. The recent transition of the large HIV and AIDS program is a testimony to CRS Uganda's commitment to helping the Church take a greater role in the development process.
Catholic Relief Services works with the government of Uganda to ensure that project designs are aligned with country development strategies for the various sectors in which we work. There is also collaboration with the government during project implementation to promote program sustainability, maximize use of resources, and ensure activities are in sync with other government initiatives and development programs. Most recently, CRS has worked with the Ministry of Health to support prevention of HIV transmission from pregnant mothers to their newborn children and with the Ministry of Agriculture on the research and dissemination of new varieties of disease tolerant cassava.
Non-governmental Organizations
Catholic Relief Services works with local non-governmental organizations for the implementation of some programs. Often these organizations have areas of technical expertise (clinical, agriculture, water and sanitation) that support the work of CRS with communities. Often these organizations are other faith-based organizations that work alongside and in a complementary fashion with our Church partners.
CRS often works through community-based organizations, which are locally formed entities encouraged and sometimes mandated by the government to deliver social services at the village level.
Programs
Agriculture
The work of Catholic Relief Services Uganda in the agriculture sector has evolved over the years, from the highly successful Seed Fair and Voucher program, to the Great Lakes Cassava Initiative, to the Development Initiative thru Marketing Enterprises program, where CRS and partners increased productivity and helped farmers access new market opportunities in order to increase their income. Building on these previous successes, the Agro-enterprise SILC Project In Rural Economies program is an integrated program that helps increase farmers productivity and profitability by mobilizing savings groups and market organizations at the community level.
Disaster Response
Many Ugandans struggle to survive through unexpected emergencies each year. Uganda is a disaster-prone area with a long history of earthquakes, landslides, flooding, drought and pestilence. To help lessen the impact of these disasters, Catholic Relief Services includes emergency preparedness and recovery activities in all its programs. Key activities over the years have included providing shelter for night commuters in conflict zones, water and sanitation projects in camps for displaced people, and innovative agriculture fairs that enable farm families to select seeds, tools and small livestock to rebuild their lives after a disaster.
HIV and AIDS
HIV Care and Treatment
Most recently, Catholic Relief Services Uganda served as the lead agency of the AIDSRelief consortium, a multi-country program providing HIV care, treatment and anti-retroviral therapy to vulnerable men, women and children. The program began in 2002. Today more than 80,000 patients are supported with compassion and care, while more than 33,000 patients receive life-saving treatment. In the spirit of solidarity, CRS has now handed this large program to local faith-based partners, who continue to provide the technical care and treatment through local hospitals. The program also assists community volunteers to carry out anti-retroviral therapy treatment, support and preventative services, ensuring adherence and durable viral suppression.
Catholic Relief Services builds the capacity of poor families in rural Uganda through the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) program, by helping communities establish secure savings systems, an internal loan fund and a social insurance fund. The program is highly sustainable and scalable. Field agents become certified as private service providers and offer their services to the community on a fee basis, based on demand and quality of service. The program has formed 7,000-plus SILC groups, includes over 100,000 members, and is indirectly supporting 600,000 people achieve greater financial security.
Peacebuilding
Under the Land Conflict Mitigation project, Catholic Relief Services Uganda has worked with local faith-based partners to address land conflict and to help communities live in harmony in post-war settings. Through the program, both formal and informal community leaders gained the skills and experience needed to host community sensitization meetings and effectively demonstrate the use of mediation. These leaders worked with highly vulnerable communities to successfully resolve disputes outside the court system. Activities included conflict resolution training for local leaders, community meetings on citizen's rights and land ownership issues, and radio programs to promote peacebuilding and environmental awareness.
Water and Sanitation
The Catholic Relief Services Uganda water programs are based on an integrated approach to water resource management. The goal is to ensure that communities make the most efficient, effective and equitable use of water. Under the Global Water Initiative program, substantive gains have been made to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, promote good hygiene, and strengthen watershed management, while building the capacity of communities and partners to continue best water practices. CRS Uganda, with generous support from private donors, is also participating in a regional program called Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This initiative builds on CRS best practices in water resource management with a focus on supporting poor communities in arid and semi-arid zones. The IWRM program in Uganda is implemented in Bukwo District, on the border with Kenya, an area often neglected due to its remote location. CRS is working with local leaders to help communities reduce vulnerability to water-related shocks, instill a sense of ownership and responsibility for water access management, and increase adoption of good hygiene and sanitation practices.
