During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kitgum District and the broader Acholi sub-region in Northern Uganda faced unique pressures that intensified suffering for orphans and vulnerable children:

Strained Support Networks: Major institutions in Kitgum—such as the Irene GleesonFoundation (IGF), which supports thousands of orphans with food, healthcare,
and education—had their operations heavily restricted.Annual charity events and community fundraising drives were limited or canceled, severely cutting
· off local safety nets.

· Extreme Food Shortages: Transport bans and border restriction scaused food prices to skyrocket in Northern Uganda.Caregivers, foster families, and grassroots child centers struggled to secure daily meals, leading to widespread malnutrition.

· Interrupted Healthcare Access: Lockdown restrictions and local health facility closuresmade obtaining basic medications for malaria, fever, and common childhood
illnesses virtually impossible for impoverished families and orphanages.

· Surge in Child Protection Risks: With schools closed for extended periods, vulnerable and orphaned children in Northern Uganda saw sharp increases in child labor,