Our Projects

 

Projects:
In order to prioritize the projects we work on, the RCIDC follows these steps. First, we identify all major issues causing harm to the environment. Second, we prioritize each issue based upon the severity of its effect on the environment. Finally, we develop plans to reduce environmental damage from each of these issues, focusing our efforts first on those issues that are causing the most immediate and irreversible harm.

Following Are a Few Of The Latest Projects The World Environmental Organization Is Currently Pursuing

Tree planting to reduce the effects of global warming
Biogas projects in which we want to encourage the public to use it due to its friendly advantage to the environment and people. Its use will reduce on forest encroachment in search for fire.

Eco Camp:
We want to establish an educational Day Camp program at least on 50 -acres where students can learn about everything from solar power to organic farming, wild conservation, and carnivorous plants.

Agro-forestry projects
In which we sensitize rural communities to plant crops together with trees that add nitrogen and fertility in the soil.

GEREVER’S ENVIRONMENTAL WATCH:
Many of Africa’s natural ecosystems are undergoing conversion, degradation and decline in a totally unplanned and uncontrolled manner. Examples include – uncontrolled expansion of agricultural land;  unplanned and uncontrolled housing infrastructure development, the erosion of soils and a decline in their fertility; falling quality and availability of water; unregulated encroachment and degradation of wetlands; encroachment of forest reserves; deforestation and the overgrazing of rangelands; and the invasion of weed species and bush encroachment. With the continent's current population of millions of people set to double by the end of the next decade, these pressures are bound to be insurmountable without sustainable action at both national and community levels.

Poor people, who rely disproportionately on the environment for their basic needs, are confronted with environmental problems including soil erosion and declining land productivity, the spread of alien invasive species, and declining fish stocks. With over 80% of the people south of Sahara, involved in agriculture, soil erosion and declining soil fertility are significantly impacting the ability of the poor to meet nutritional needs. This is resulting in an increase in deforestation and encroachment on ecologically sensitive areas (such as wetlands and natural forests), as poor people attempt to secure alternative income sources in the face of growing food insecurity. Through partnerships with grassroots organizations in Africa RCIDC educate and promote easily integrated solutions that provide both immediate returns, while protecting natural capital. Simple, alternative technologies and methods are used to encourage organic/sustainable agricultural practices, improve crop efficiency, decreasing deforestation, increasing reforestation, and build environmentally-friendly income-generating projects. RCIDC welcomes interns and volunteers to support existing environmental methods and also bring innovation to our partner organizations in a variety of capacities.

ARMS CONTAL / ATT

For decades, the Horn of Africa has been witnessing cycles of extreme waves of armed conflicts which have caused extraordinary human suffering. We have seen the destruction of livelihoods, the creation of millions of refugees, hundreds of thousands of migrations across the continent and into other continents, and conflict caused by a set of complex socio-political factors.  At the same time, uncontrolled arms are flowing across Africa. The Horn of Africa is a challenging region and it continued to be so, at least since the cold war era. This is especially true when it comes to the arms’ question. Complexity stems from Civilians’ militarization, armed pastoralist, piracy, inter and intra-state tensions, inter-communal conflicts and shrinking space for democratic practices as well as vested external interests in the HoA region given its geopolitical strategic location.      

Uganda as one of African Countries across the HoA have seen the greatest influx of both poorly organized migrations from HoA region and most significantly, unregulated weapons in Africa. Weapons from small arms, light weapons up to anti-aircraft missiles have been the tools of civil wars that have erupted since the end of Colonialism, the emergence of military as a political and economic power, Cold War politics, and the illegal appropriation of profits from the sale of African natural resources in exchange of weaponry.  Conflicts have escalated as civilians have militarized, pastoralists have armed themselves and some pastoralists markets are spots of arms trade. Democratic space is being curtailed in the name of anti-terrorism measures. It is evident that about 95% of the small arms and light weapons (SALWs) used in African conflicts are actually brought in through global networks which catalyse already enflamed situations. Although there are many continental and regional agreements on arms in Africa such as Nairobi Protocol for Control of SALW, the globalization of the arms trade will best be controlled through an international treaty, with continental and regional enforcement (i.e. the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that came into force in December 2014). Arms manufacturing companies and states alike are involved in selling, transferring and brokering deals across Africa is stated over and again that the signing and ratification of the ATT alone will not bring peace to Africa, but will build a voice against uncontrolled arms and shake the silence towards conflict.

RCIDC’s Campaign on Arms’ Control:

In Uganda, (RCIDC) and key partners is running a campaign against uncontrolled arms across East African Region. RCIDC works directly with other CSOs together in a regional network to campaign against uncontrolled arms control. This has allowed experts and CSOs voice their concerns about uncontrolled arms and explain to key policymakers the devastating effects of arms at the local and national levels, and their solutions for reducing these arms. Including promoting those countries ratifies treaty on ATT. RCIDC and its partners will mobilize masses to use and maximize the space they have to enable a movement calling arms’ control in the region and Addressing arms control. ATT without strong links on the ground will remain an isolated institutional process.

Focus On HIV/AIDS
OUR programmes focused on preventing HIV transmission from mother-to-child, Palliative health care and well being of women, orphans and vulnerable children around in the region.“Supporting the most vulnerable populations is core to RCIDC Healthcare’s commitment to those affected by HIV and AIDS,” “Community-based programmes have long been critical to successful HIV prevention, care and treatment. We want to assist community initiatives tackling the problem of mother-to-child HIV transmission in systemic and sustainable ways.”

Following extensive consultations with some of the sector’s leading non-governmental organizations, practitioners and policy-makers in this field. We mobilize Funds focused on grants that pursue the four elements of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategic vision and comprehensive approach for addressing the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, under these four headings:

 

The AIDS /HIV. Impact On The Health Sector

In all heavily affected countries the AIDS epidemic is adding additional pressure on the health sector. As the epidemic matures, the demand for care for those living with HIV rises, as does the toll of AIDS on health workers. In sub-Saharan Africa, the direct medical costs of AIDS (excluding antiretroviral therapy) is high

The Effect On Hospitals

As the HIV prevalence of a country rises, the strain placed on its hospitals is likely to increase. In Uganda, people with HIV-related diseases occupy more than half of all hospital beds. Government-funded research in MULAGO HOSPITAL has suggested that, on average, HIV-positive patients stay in hospital four times longer than other patients.7Hospitals are struggling to cope, especially in poorer African countries where there are often too few beds available.

Health Care Workers

While AIDS is causing an increased demand for health services, large numbers of healthcare professionals are being directly affected by the epidemic. in Uganda, Healthcare workers are already scarce in most African countries. Excessive workloads, poor pay and migration to richer countries are among the factors contributing to this shortage.

The Impact On Households

The toll of HIV and AIDS on households can be very severe. Although no part of the population is unaffected by HIV, it is often the poorest sectors of society that are most vulnerable to the epidemic and for whom the consequences are most severe. as parents die and children are sent to relatives for care and upbringing

Household Income

In Uganda it is estimated that, on average, every income earner is likely to acquire one additional dependent over the next ten years due to the AIDS epidemic. A dramatic increase in destitute households – those with no income earners either because they are ill with AIDS themselves or because they are caring for another sick family member.

Food Production

The AIDS epidemic adds to food insecurity in many areas, as agricultural work is neglected or abandoned due to household illness. In Uganda, where food shortages have had a devastating effect, it has been recognized that HIV and AIDS are diminishing the country’s agricultural output

Healthcare Expenses And Funeral Costs

Taking care of a person sick with AIDS is not only an emotional strain for household members, but also a major strain on household resources. Loss of income, additional care-related expenses, the reduced ability of caregivers to work, and mounting medical fees push affected households deeper into poverty.

How Do HIV/AIDS-Affected Households Cope In Africa?

Three main coping strategies appear to be adopted among affected households. Savings are used up or assets sold; assistance is received from other households; and the composition of households tends to change, with fewer adults of prime working age in the households..

The Impact On Children

It is hard to overemphasis the trauma and hardship that children affected by HIV and AIDS are forced to bear. The epidemic not only causes children to lose their parents or guardians, but sometimes their childhood as well. As parents and family members become ill, children take on more responsibility to earn an income, produce food, and care for family members. It is harder for these children to access adequate nutrition, basic health care, housing and clothing. Fewer families have the money to send their children to school.The way forward is prevention. Firstly, it is crucial to prevent children from becoming infected with HIV at birth as well as later in life. Secondly, if efforts are made to prevent adults becoming infected with HIV, and to care for those already infected, then fewer children will be orphaned by AIDS in the future.

The Impact On The Education Sector

As the epidemic worsens, the education sector is damaged, which in turn is likely to increase the incidence of HIV transmission. There are numerous ways in which AIDS can affect education, but equally there are many ways in which education can help the fight against AIDS. The extent to which schools and other education institutions are able to continue functioning will influence how well societies eventually recover from the epidemic.

The Impact On Teachers

Teachers who are affected by HIV and AIDS are likely to take periods of time off work. Those with sick families may also take time off to attend funerals or to care for sick or dying relatives, and further absenteeism may result from the psychological effects of the epidemic.

The Impact On Enterprises And Workplaces

HIV and AIDS dramatically affect labour, setting back economic and social progress. The vast majority of people living with HIV in Africa are between the ages of 15 and 49 - in the prime of their working lives. AIDS damages businesses by squeezing productivity, adding costs, diverting productive resources, and depleting skills. Company costs for health-care, funeral benefits and pension fund commitments are likely to rise as the number of people taking early retirement or dying increases

The Impact On Life Expectancy

In many countries of sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS is erasing decades of progress in extending life expectancy. In the worst affected countries, average life expectancy has fallen by twenty years because of the epidemic. The impact that AIDS has had on average life expectancy is partly attributed to child mortality, as increasing numbers of babies are born with HIV infections acquired from their mothers.

The Economic Impact

One way in which AIDS affects the economy is by reducing the labour supply through increased mortality and illness. Amongst those who are able to work, productivity is likely to decline as a result of HIV-related illness. Government income also declines, as tax revenues fall and governments are pressured to increase their spending to deal with the expanding HIV epidemic.

The Future Impact Of HIV/AIDS

This page has outlined just some of the ways in which the AIDS epidemic has had a significant impact on countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although both international and domestic efforts to overcome the crisis have been strengthened in recent years, there is little sign of the epidemic diminishing. The people of sub-Saharan Africa will continue to feel the effects of HIV and AIDS for many years to come. It is clear that as much as possible needs to be done to minimize this impact.

Tourism And Wild Life
RCIDC, in its capacity building and advocacy plans and programs to promote tourism, wildlife and cultural heritage conservation for socio economic development and transformation of the Eastern African countries.The projects is prioritizing the tourism sector as one of the key sectors that has the capacity and potential to reduce poverty, advance rural development, create more jobs while at the same time conserving our natural and cultural heritage and preserving our Biodiversity. In broad terms, the Ministry is responsible for creating an enabling environment for the tourism industry to grow and flourish and to contribute towards the realization of Vision 2040. Tourism is important in most countries economy, as it provides a means of improving livelihood. The economic benefits are stronger than might appear given the employment opportunities generated, with cross sectoral spillover effects and linkages dominating those of other traditional sectors of the economy. Apart from these obvious economic benefits, tourism can stimulate broader benefits to the economy: upgrades to infrastructure, conservation of natural habitats, and gender equity by providing decent jobs for women, making it an ideal vehicle for propelling growth and developmentRCIDC in its approach calls on all stakeholders to increase their efforts towards making tourism, wildlife and cultural heritage conservation for socio economic development and transformation in the Region