Organisation Profile

Concern Worldwide is an international, nongovernmental humanitarian agency founded in 1968 in Dublin, Ireland. Concern Worldwide responds to emergencies and works to advance people in greatest need in 28 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

Concern Worldwide in Uganda started working in 1980, with a famine relief operation in the Karamoja region. The organization returned to Uganda in 1990 to respond to HIV and AIDS pandemic mostly in Western Uganda. Since then, Concern Worldwide has maintained a presence in the country and implemented a range of projects supporting good governance and the decentralization process, enhancing people’s livelihoods through increasing agricultural production militating against the spread and impact of HIV and providing emergency water supply and sanitation services to IDPs.

Vision
A Uganda where absolute poverty is eliminated and Social Equity exists

Mission
Improve the living standards of people who cannot meet their basic needs by strengthening the capacity of people to meet their own basic needs and responding to emergency situations

Concern Worldwide focuses on the poorest areas in North and North Eastern Uganda. There are currently five projects implemented including the following;

In Pader district

Sustainable Service Water and Sanitation Service Delivery (funded by Austrian Development Cooperation) 2010 – 2012
This project is implemented through Pader Local Government District Water Office. The aim is to ensure the District Water Office can operate and maintain the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in addition to constructing new facilities as required. This is through building the knowledge and skills of people and developing the organizational capacity within the local government through technical assistance and transferring resources. The project is implemented in 6 sub-counties and targets about 3,615 people in local government structures at village, parish, sub-county and district levels.

Support to Returnees Settlement and Livelihood Recovery (Irish Aid) 2008-2013
This is a five year project and is implemented in partnership with local NGOs (VEDCO, WORUDET and Uganda Land Alliance) as well as private sector companies. It supports formerly displaced people to return to their villages of origin and rebuild their livelihoods. It provides agricultural support (seeds, livestock, tools and training) to enable returnees grow and market their own food. The project also supports equitable access to and utilization of land and supports initiatives to resolve land disputes, create awareness on land rights and increase more access to and utilization of land among women. It also seeks to address gender based violence through counseling services, information and referral and support services for victims. This project is targeting to benefit 28,000 people.

Projects in Karamoja Region

Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (funded by UNICEF) 2009 -2012
This project provides training, mentoring and both technical and financial support to enable the district health teams, health facility staff and village health teams fully adopt Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition protocols in Kotido, Abim, Amudat and Nakapiripirit. The objective of the programme is to reduce morbidity and mortality in children under five.

Improved Livelihood Security through Provision of Vocational Skills (European Union) 2010-2014
The project is implemented through four partners including; the Action for Poverty Reduction and Livestock Modernization in Karamoja (ARELIMOK), Matheniko Development Forum (MADEFO), Karamoja Women Umbrella Organisation (KAWUO) and HAPPY COW. The project seeks to improve livelihood security for 1,880 women and warriors (karachunas) through expanding income generating options through vocational training, business skills development and improved literacy. Mothers with malnourished children can also access a Functional Adult Literacy programme to enable them to acquire basic knowledge and skills.

Projects in Amuria District

Sustainable and Equitable Wealth Creation in Amuria (Comic Relief UK/Irish Aid) 2010 – 2014
This project is implemented through local NGO partners (VEDCO, CIDI and Uganda Debt Network). The project targets 4,800 vulnerable households in 4 sub-counties in Amuria District. The aim is to increase food security through the diversification and increase in household agricultural production. There is a specific focus in enabling better, more equitable access to markets. The project also supports marginal farmers to take part in local government planning and budgeting processes.