The Ugandan government has finalized an emergency humanitarian plan for resettling internally displaced persons in the northern part of the country affected by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army in their rebellion against the government.

The plan quoted by New Vision on Saturday contains emergency intervention strategies to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

"This is a welcome development and an indication of continued commitment by the government and development partners to bring the northern region to the path of recovery and development," said Ugandan Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi who chaired the discussion of the plan in Kampala.

"This initiative comes at a critical time when the government is working closely with the government of southern Sudan to engage the LRA in a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Key bilateral partners have supported the government in this process," he said.

Nsibambi said in addition to providing security, the government would focus on protecting human rights by deploying police in key areas, providing emergency food, water, shelter and health services in order to lower mortality rates and promote reconciliation in the communities.

The plan of action is drawn by the Joint Monitoring Committee ( JMC) set up by President Yoweri Museveni. The JMC was set up by the government and development partners to consolidate humanitarian interventions in the north.

He told the meeting attended by various ministers, permanent secretaries, ambassadors and security officials that the government has a comprehensive plan for the peace, recovery and development of the northern region.

He instructed ministers whose portfolios are related to the emergency plan to ensure that priority is given to northern Uganda in the next six months in order to reverse the negative situation there.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said the prospects for peace in the north were clear and appealed to development partners to support Uganda in implementing the plan.

Source: Xinhua