Project Duration: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025

Location: Madi Okollo District, specifically targeting Pawor and Rigbo Sub-Counties

Target Beneficiaries: Women, Adolescents, and Fishing Communities

Funding Partner: CHASE Africa (UK)

Background 

The Improving Livelihoods and Sustainable Fishing (LSF) Project is a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly women, adolescents, and fishers, in fishing communities within Madi Okollo District of Uganda’s West Nile region. Funded by CHASE Africa (UK), the project seeks to holistically improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH), primary healthcare access, health system capacity, and livelihood diversification, thereby creating resilient and healthy communities.

The project recognizes the unique health and economic vulnerabilities faced by fishing communities, including limited access to reproductive health information and services, under-resourced health systems, and over-reliance on fishing as a sole income source. In response, LSF adopts an integrated, community-based approach that leverages both health and economic empowerment strategies.

Project Objectives and Outcomes

1.  Increase Awareness and Access to Information on SRHR and Family Planning

The project aims to reach at least 11,320 people with accurate information on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and family planning (FP).

Approaches include:

  - Door-to-door sensitization campaigns to deliver targeted SRHR/FP messages.

  -Community dialogues, which foster open discussion and break cultural barriers surrounding SRHR.

2.  Enhance Access to SRH and FP Services

To reduce unmet needs for SRH services among 2,400 people, the project deploys:

   - Backpack nurses who deliver mobile health outreach services directly within communities.

   - Referral systems to link individuals to formal health facilities for specialized care.

3.  Increase Uptake of Primary Healthcare Services

To promote the use of preventive and curative services by another 2,400 individuals, the project organizes:

   - Mobile day clinics, bringing basic healthcare closer to underserved populations.

4. Strengthen Local Health Systems

The project builds the capacity of local health systems through:

    - Training of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the administration of short-term FP methods.

   -  Improving commodity management, ensuring availability and accountability for FP supplies.

5. Diversify Livelihood Opportunities

To reduce dependence on fishing and improve household resilience, the project supports:

    - Formation and training of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).

    - Promotion of commercial vegetable production and off-farm enterprises.

    - Provision of agricultural inputs and startup kits to support alternative income-generating activities.

By integrating health and livelihood interventions, the LSF project addresses the multifaceted needs of fishing communities in West Nile. It promotes sustainable development through improved health outcomes, gender inclusion, and economic empowerment, paving the way for long-term community resilience and well-being.