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LWR Celebrates Senate Passage of Northern Uganda Recovery Act
Baltimore, March 15, 2010 —
After months of delay, on Wednesday, March 10, the U.S.
Senate unanimously passed the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern
Uganda Recovery Act. LWR has long supported this legislation and applauds the
Senate’s overwhelming support for the bill. Sponsored by Russ Feingold (D-WI),
Sam Brownback (R-KS ) and James Inhofe (R-OK), the legislation calls for
increased humanitarian and development funds for northern Uganda—an area
devastated by conflict between the rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and
government forces. It also requires the U.S.
administration work with multilateral partners to devise a plan for disarming
the LRA and bringing an end to the rebels’ violence in Africa.
At the height of conflict in northern Uganda, 1.8
million people were forced from their homes into camps for the internally
displaced. In these camps, nearly 1,000 people died each week due to unsanitary
conditions and violence. Thousands of northern Ugandans remain unable to return
home even today, lacking the support they need to farm, rebuild homes and
access health and education services. In addition, returns home are delayed due
to continued fear of LRA forces that are notorious for kidnapping and for
brutal treatment of civilians. The UN reports that last year alone, the LRA
abducted more than 1,800 people —mostly children — and murdered 1,500 people in countries
surrounding Uganda.
LWR Acting Director for Public Policy and Advocacy Annalise Romoser explains, “This legislation
highlights the needs of northern Ugandans who are eager to return home. Most
importantly, the bill creates political mechanisms that will help ensure funds are
directed at reconstruction and development in northern Uganda while authorizing assistance
for reconciliation efforts.” Romoser notes, “U.S.
support for small scale agriculture, infrastructure projects, and health and
education systems is absolutely crucial for peace to take hold in Uganda. LWR
thanks the co-sponsors of this bill and the many U.S. Lutherans who advocated
for its passage in the Senate.”
Since 2007, LWR has advocated for increased U.S. humanitarian assistance to northern Uganda and for support of justice and reconciliation
projects in the country—all of which are needed to achieve peace in northern Uganda. U.S.
Lutherans have advocated alongside LWR by sending postcards to their members of Congress, signing letters to push for passage of this legislation and
participating in speaking tours and educational events about peace in the
country.
In January, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma put a hold on the
Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, delaying passage of the bill. For the last
three weeks, Oklahoma Lutheran leaders, along with LWR and a coalition of
advocacy and faith-based organizations, have been pressuring Coburn to lift his
hold.
Michael Poffenberger, Director of Resolve Uganda, notes,
“Lutherans’ involvement in the campaign to secure Coburn’s support for this
bill was invaluable.” Poffenberger adds, “Young activists, dedicated
policy-makers and members of the faith community can largely be credited for
passage of this important legislation this week.”
LWR applauds the dedication of Lutherans who have long
supported this bill and thanks Senator Coburn for agreeing to lift his hold on
the legislation. Romoser adds, “LWR recognizes the leadership of Senators
Feingold, Brownback and Inhofe. We thank them for developing legislation that
will provide essential assistance to northern Ugandans as they rebuild their
lives and work tirelessly for peace in their country.”
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
