The Need Prevent Child Abuse in Karamoja Life in Karamoja is harsh. Chronic underdevelopment has left the population extremely vulnerable to disease and malnutrition, with very limited capacity to respond. Abim, one of five districts in Karamoja region, has been affected both by massive displacements of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Acholiland, and insecurity due to cattle raids from Karamojong warriors A recent needs assessment done by OCHA (UN) and Medair identified Nyakwae as the most insecure and neglected sub-county in Abim district. The assessment concluded that Child Protection (CP) was a key issue that needed to be addressed. At present, there are no community structures in place to support children and there are many extremely vulnerable orphans. The UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates that children have the right to have a childhood protected from early marriage, forced labour, and abuse. In Nyakwae, children are directly affected by a high level of insecurity due to cattle raiding, physical abuse, and neglect from alcoholic caregivers. Without effective protective structures in their communities, these children, already living in extreme poverty, face the frightening reality of unmitigated abuse, along with the long-term prospect of reduced livelihood opportunities because they are too scared to attend school. Our Response Improve Child Protection Standards in Nyakwae Medair is planning a comprehensive response to encourage the development of CP standards and structures in the region By May 2009, we will strengthen child protection structures in four parishes of Nyakwae sub-county to address CP issues and respond to the needs of vulnerable children. Medair will establish a Child Protection Coordination Group at the sub-county level along with a Child Protection Committee (CPC) composed of 20 community members. Community involvement will be crucial in identifying issues, determining solutions, and ensuring the sustainability of CP structures. The 20 CPC members will be trained in a number of key CP issues, including basic psychosocial support, protecting children from sexual exploitation, and helping families cope with trauma and alcohol problems CPC members will each be equipped with a bicycle and tasked with providing community outreach and advocacy. In this way, local knowledge about the necessity of CP standards will spread rapidly, and CP stakeholders will be coordinated throughout the sub-county to identify, report, and refer child protection cases to the relevant authorities. Medair will also roll out the UNICEF Safe Schools Initiative – which aims to ensure that schools offer a safe and protective learning environment – in the six schools identified as the most vulnerable. Our staff will collaborate with district authorities and the local CPC to carry out teacher training and to establish safe-school committees and children groups that can prevent, identify, and address violence, exploitation, abuse, and infringement of child rights in schools and communities. With Your Support We can establish a protective framework that will enable the district’s most vulnerable children to have a better, safer childhood and hopefully a better life. If children can attend schools without fear of abuse, they are likely to stay in school, receive an education, and improve their future prospects. If children can get counselling for past traumatic events and protection from future problems, they will have a better chance of growing up as welladjusted adults. Together, we can help protect these young children, who really need the compassionate help of adults who are concerned for their safety and well-being. The total budget for this project is US$ 168,000. Most of this amount has already been granted by governmental humanitarian aid organisations, but we are still seeking private support in the amount of US$ 17,000. This level of private support will enable us to meet our total budget target and undertake this project to protect children in northern Uganda.