In Lonyasan Village of Rupa Sub County in Moroto District, the scorching Karamoja sun beats down relentlessly on the gasping earth. The dry landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, devoid of any signs of life-giving water or lush pasture.
This is Lokiru Lokwameri’s village, once a thriving hub of pastoral activity but now ravaged by drought and neglect. The cracked soil, withered trees, and empty waterholes paint a dire picture of desperation.
It is here too that Lokiru’s story unfolds, a tale of struggle and resilience. His emaciated cows, once the pride of his family, now struggle to find water. The only pond, built in 1980s, lies silted and useless, a stark reminder of the community’s plight.
“I had to migrate my cattle to distant areas like Kobebe Dam, but it was far, costly, and they even grew weaker,” Lokiru shares.
“Worst of all, I couldn’t feed my family. Without water, the cows couldn’t produce milk, and the lack of grass meant no meat. We were on the brink of disaster,” adds Lokiru.
But Lokiru’s story is not unique. Karamoja’s pastoral communities face numerous challenges, including drought, insecurity, and famine among others and this is where the Building Resilience in Conflict Affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK) project seeks to address these issues.
Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja, in collaboration with GARD, VEDCO, Warrior Squad Foundation, and Better World, with funding from UNDP and KOICA, is implementing the six-month BRICK project.
About 7,500 members of the community participated in the “cash for work” activities in the whole of Karamoja which included opening of access roads to facilitate access to vital social services like markets, health facilities and schools.
Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja has since identified 2,100 participants for the “cash for work” in Pupu, Lobuneit, Nakiloro, Lotisan Parishes of Rupa Sub County in Moroto District.
The project aims to address three interconnected challenges which include high vulnerability to climate change, poverty, and food insecurity, inter-communal tensions and conflicts in the vast border regions of Karamoja besides a rising prevalence of violence against women and girls.
Richard Omoding, the Executive Director, Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja explains that by promoting sustainable development through local ownership and leadership, the BRICK project seeks to enhance community resilience, promote sustainable livelihoods, reduce violence against women and girls and foster inter-communal peace and cooperation.
Through the project’s “Cash for Work” program, the dam was de-silted, and Lokiru also received cash incentives for his labor and as the dam’s waters began to flow, Lokiru beamed with joy exclaiming, “Now my cows can drink again!”
Today, his livestock thrives, and Lokiru’s income and food security have increased. Over 500 households now have reliable water access, strengthening community resilience to climate change.
“The revitalized dam is a testament to community-driven initiatives,” says Richard Omoding adding, “We’re proud to support pastoralist families like Lokiru’s.”
According to the UNDP’s 2022 Karamoja Resilience Report, “water scarcity affects 75 percent of pastoralist households” and Riamiriam’s efforts towards addressing this challenge are crucial.
“Water availability has significantly improved livestock health,” notes Dr. Francis Inangolet, the Production Coordinator for Moroto District.
The BRICK project’s impact will extend beyond its duration, serving as a best practice for homegrown and sustainable approaches to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus.
