This working paper is the third report in a three year study that has monitored changes in the livelihoods of a small group of conflict-affected households in northern Uganda since the beginnings of a peace process in 2006.   

 As people move on from camp-based livelihoods and return their homes, this paper looks at the continuing challenges they face in resettlement, at how the population has been supported in their recovery, at what has been effective and what more could be done.

Despite the improved security and increase in food production, many people were scarcely managing to access minimum food and non-food needs. Some households had experienced a reduction in their standard of living since 2006.  The study highlights people’s vulnerability to changes in external assistance, as well as to other factors, including climatic conditions, poor access to basic services and physical insecurity.

The paper suggests a need for caution about prematurely and abruptly cutting off humanitarian aid, a need for long-term social assistance for the most vulnerable and a need for more sustained and generous recovery and livelihood support.   Given the increasing insecurity, there is also a need to maintain the flexibility to respond to disruption of livelihoods resulting from a possible resumption of conflict.