The Need Health Services for the Swelling Population The humanitarian situation in Pader District is shifting from emergency relief to rehabilitation and recovery. As of September 2008, most of the IDPs had left the mother camps. The final substantial population movement back to villages of origin began with the dry season in December 2008 and is expected to continue through December 2009. However, facilities and services in new settlement camps and villages are poor, due to the years of conflict and abandonment. The rapid population return – along with poor funding for recovery and a weak health system – continues to compromise the quality of health services provided to beneficiaries within eastern Pader District, particularly in areas of return and villages of origin. The health system suffers from insufficient staffing, with workers who lack training or supervision; absenteeism is prevalent. In addition, the supply chain management is weak, the infrastructure is poor, and most equipment is outdated or non-existent. Without a comprehensive and effective health care system, the health of the most vulnerable people in the district – orphaned children, pregnant women, and single parent or child-headed families – is placed at greater risk. Our Response Health Care Capacity Building With several ongoing projects already active in these four sub-counties of Pader District, Medair is closely familiar with the operating environment and its specific needs. By December 2009, we will improve both the management and the accountability of health systems in eastern Pader. Medair will facilitate greater coordination between health centres and provide support for planning and initiatives to improve staff attendance and extend hours of operation. With regular supervisory visits to every health centre, we will monitor staff, provide training, and improve supply chain management. Full transparency of all financial and supply systems will be a priority. Medair will train and supervise staff in basic curative care, drugs, laboratory stock, and cold chain management. Where needed, we will temporarily assign up to five Medair nurses and midwives to fill critical gaps in the health centres. Medair will also provide essential drugs, supplies, and logistical support as needed. Furthermore, we will train, supervise, and support Village Health Teams (VHTs) and other volunteers who wish to promote health in their communities. With Your Support With your support, we will help these courageous people start over again and rebuild their communities and their lives. Our intervention will provide direct, life-sustaining support to 60,000 people in four sub-counties. Our approach will be both top-down (through the management and support of health centres) and bottom-up (through support for VHTs and local initiatives). We will help steer the health care system through this difficult transition period and facilitate its growth into a well-managed, comprehensive, and sustainable system. With our many years of experience, we know that a strong interconnected health system is the best way to ensure that the most vulnerable people, the ones who need health care the most, are quickly identified and given the compassionate care that they need. The total budget for this project is US$ 1,013,400. 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$ 70,500. This level of private support will enable us to meet our total budget target and undertake this vital project.