Communities living in disaster prone areas are frequently exposed to devastating floods, drought and landslides resulting in food insecurity, disruption of livelihoods and destruction of property. Beyond the physical effects of disasters are the lasting psychosocial problems and disruption. Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE) strengthens the capacity of disaster-prone communities and local governments, to identify, manage, and mitigate the effects of disaster on their livelihoods. Together with communities we develop and support communities to roll out early warning systems. We also facilitate communities to adopt environmentally sustainable economic activities that preserve the ecosystem. Crusade for Environmental Conservation and Development Initiative empowers families and communities to plan for potential shocks through risk mitigation and to rebuild together through livestock and agricultural-based livelihoods to achieve resilience. Our approach is based on the sector concepts of absorption, adaptation, and transformation.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION (CCA)

We focus on four areas to support climate-smart agriculture and livestock production:

Climate-resilient sustainable agriculture: In addition to agroecology, we work with farmer networks to anticipate climate risks and adjust and to select climate-resilient crop varieties that are resistant to local climate conditions.

Intensification of small-scale production systems: We work to increase food production per hectare without use of chemical fertilizers, avoid overgrazing to preserve soil and water quality, incorporate breeding of smaller stock into family production systems, and support biogas plants to recycle manure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Water management and efficient irrigation systems: We construct water reservoirs based on local need and topography, build filtration ditches, filtration basins and absorption wells, increase vegetation cover and promote reforestation, and develop irrigation systems to take water to crop plots and drip irrigation systems.

Carbon markets and payment for environmental services: We support local communities in their economic development and conservation of protected areas through payment for ecosystem services (PES) carried out by alliances with local and regional organizations. These can be linked to reforestation or forest protection efforts as well as to projects aimed at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

CHILD PROTECTION (ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN)

We protect children from violence and advocate for others to do the same. Our sub-themes cover.

Appropriate care

Protection of children from violence

Child protection systems

Protection of children from harmful work

Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE) works to ensure that all children are protected. Our work aims at ensuring the reduction of violence against children in all settings; a safe and protective environment for all children in schools; improved well-being of children and increased access to services by children. We do this through coordination and networking, research and advocacy, documentation, capacity strengthening and program integration and synergies.

Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE) uses a community-based systems approach to child protection.

Advocacy: Through upstream advocacy and strengthening institutional systems we provide and share field data and information that can be used to improve practice and inform policy among a broad array of actors.

Direct service delivery: We directly deliver services to children and their families that need protection. All our community-based child protection work involves promoting and strengthening both the role of traditional informal structures and formal supports systems to play a more pronounced and front-line role in child protection. School based interventions are effective in reaching both the students and surrounding community with messages of behaviour change.

Partnering with Government: Crusade for Environmental Conservation and Development Initiative is working closely with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD), to articulate and strengthen the national child protection system. We are also supporting the Ministry to strengthen the role of the National Child Protection Working Group to better coordinate child protection work in the country.

PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Awareness campaign on GBV through capacity building of target community anti- GBV activists on rights of women and their role in development, Economic empowerment of women, Advocacy on women’s rights (property and inheritance etc.), and Provision of psychosocial support to GBV survivors

Gender equity: We support the full and equitable development of women and men to strengthen families and improve communities. To ensure women are equally involved in decision-making, we work with women’s groups and mixed-gender groups. We encourage husbands and wives to share in decision-making, ownership of animals, labour, and the benefits of projects. Training uses a family focus, demonstrating how gender equity benefits all family members. Our programs promote gender equity through:

Training on human rights and gender equity

Training on the rights of children

Access to education by all school-age girls and boys

Women in leadership and decision-making roles

Equity in workload through appropriate technology and shared responsibilities

Violence has a negative impact on a woman’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and increases vulnerability to HIV. For more than 5 years, we have supported survivors and victims in communities practicing harmful cultural practices to access psychosocial support, corrective surgery, and community acceptance.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Our mental health interventions are guided by the philosophy that mental health care should be integrated into primary health care services. We work through public health facilities, supporting health workers and allied professionals acquire essential competencies in mental health care such as correct diagnosis, treatment regimens and management of facilities. Our mental health approach comprises social support interventions which aim to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of families, improve livelihoods, and promote social inclusion of persons with mental illness and epilepsy. Patient Support Groups are integral to providing a platform for peer support among care givers, sensitization of communities on myths around mental health and reduction of stigma. Through a combination of basic best practices and global recommendations we have supported the healing of families and communities in the aftermath of conflict and civil disorder.

PREVENTION OF HIV AND AIDS

We work with children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and their families to strengthen their ability to cope and thrive. Special emphasis is placed on girl mothers, youth, and children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, those heading households or looking after sick relatives.

Our interventions:

Increase access to HIV and AIDS prevention services such as facilitating community outreach voluntary testing and counseling.

Improve the ability capacity of schools to recognize and support the special needs of orphans in school.

Strengthen capacity of districts and civil society organizations to plan, coordinate, monitor and deliver holistic services.

Link orphans headed households to socioeconomic support initiatives and to provide psychosocial support.

Reduce stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS through sensitization using music, dance, and drama.

Raise awareness on alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment

Through Awareness creation on HIV/AIDS (through; crusades, conducting film shows, sports for awareness, debates, Music Dance and Drama, radio program (spots) on cultural norms that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS; support to persons Living with HIV/AIDS (through; IGAs)

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS SUPPORT

We build food security by working with small-scale farmers to increase availability, utilization, and accessibility of food. We accomplish this by deploying livestock, seeds and trainings in sustainable crop production and animal management practices, and by working with communities to increase diversity and intake of foods for improved nutrition. The programme aims at contributing to the reduction of marginalization of the poverty-stricken population of Uganda through increased economic opportunities and access to services for the poor and vulnerable youth, men and women. Through assets building, economic opportunities, and resilience of female and male farmers and pastoralist communities. Support and strengthen food production and income levels of communities through; Training and support of youth in income generation and business skills, Support and strengthen nutritional and food utilization, strengthen agricultural production through the provision of inputs.

Our food security and livelihood interventions target entire households. We also focus on; increasing household incomes; promoting hygienic practices and increasing agricultural productivity and farming as a business. We empower families with skills to sustainably increase food production including modern farming and agronomic practices. Households learn post-harvest handling methods to enable them store food for future consumption especially during periods of scarcity and to avoid unnecessary waste. Community based behaviour change campaigns led by community facilitators and community champions enlighten families on essential food nutrients and on child growth and development.

PROMOTION OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE

Through Support to community peace initiatives, promoted peace dialogues among communities; Support the establishment/strengthening of in and out of school child/youth led foras and initiatives for participation in peace building and conflict resolution, Undertake community outreaches for the youth on the nature of conflicts and the impacts on their lives and future, plus their communities and diversionary activities for the youth (e.g. vocational trainings, IGAs…)

WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROMOTION

Every day, Crusade for Environmental Conservation and Development Initiative’s water projects provide thousands of people with access to clean water and improved sanitation. We support water, sanitation, and hygiene services in communities, focusing on services for the poorest and most remote communities. We sensitize communities on hygiene related disorders (diseases) through; Film shows Music and drama; Training in water management; supported in and out of school children led initiatives in hygiene promotion. Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE) supports WASH programs in coordination with the three Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE)strategic priority areas of health, agriculture, and emergencies. Our work improves health and well-being, supports emergency preparedness and response efforts, and contributes to the sustainability of water and natural resource

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR CONSERVATION (RI-CONSERVE)

Relevant information to undertake important decisions regarding natural resources has been an impediment to sustainable management of environment and natural resources. This has been more profound with grassroots communities and organizations, including government, working to empower them to sustainably manage the environment and natural resources. To bridge the information gap, the Africa Nature Organization undertakes research and develops innovative ways of overcoming environmental challenges facing communities, civil society organizations, private organizations, and governments. Baseline surveys, environmental impact assessments, documentation of indigenous knowledge on biological resources, and innovative mobile technology for conservation are some of the activities undertaken in this category.

Our Report

Organization for Development of Integrated Rural-Urban Community Entities (ODIRUCE) Reports In here you will find our periodic and project reports (coming soon)