Refugees in Uganda’s Nakivale settlement are facing the dual challenges of displacement and the worsening impact of climate change. This sprawling camp, home to over 1.5 million refugees, is increasingly grappling with erratic weather patterns and dwindling natural resources, exacerbated by climate change and deforestation.
Struggles Amidst Climate Change
Enock Bidhoro, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived at Nakivale in July 2023, hoping to start anew. However, he quickly encountered the harsh reality of the settlement’s climate challenges. “We settled in during what is supposed to be the rainy season, but there’s been scarcely any rainfall since. The locals say that rampant deforestation has disrupted rainfall patterns,” Bidhoro shared with Climate post. His crops, vital for his family’s sustenance, are withering due to the lack of rain.
Mbalangizi Ketra, a single mother, faces a daily struggle to find firewood for cooking. “There are no trees in the vicinity. I have to walk miles to get enough firewood, sometimes at the risk of being chased by owners of small woodlots,” she laments. The reliance on wood for fuel has significantly contributed to the loss of tree cover in the area, worsening the environmental degradation.
Uganda’s Refugee Crisis
Uganda is renowned for its open-door refugee policy, hosting more refugees than any other African country. As of September 2023, the United Nations reports that the country is home to 1,520,966 refugees and 47,271 asylum seekers, with the majority coming from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the growing refugee population has strained resources, making it increasingly difficult to provide adequate support.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has had to cut rations due to funding shortfalls, providing only 0.35 cents per person per day in 2022, far below the required 0.68 cents. This reduction has led to significant nutritional gaps, with available resources meeting only 52% of the daily caloric needs.
A Progressive Policy Strained
Uganda’s self-reliance model allows refugees to work and move freely, a policy praised for its progressiveness. However, the environmental impact of this model is becoming evident as refugees resort to cutting down trees for firewood and clearing land for agriculture, further exacerbating the region’s vulnerability to climate change.
“My children tell me every day that this firewood we use is the cause of climate change — that it is contributing to us not having enough rainfall. But without firewood, how shall I cook?” asks Mbalangizi , highlighting the difficult choices refugees face.
Green Initiatives Amidst Despair
Amid these challenges, initiatives are emerging to restore Nakivale’s green cover. Bodue Manirakiza, a Burundian refugee, is leading efforts to plant trees and raise awareness about environmental conservation. “My dream is to make the Nakivale refugee settlement green again,” Manirakiza told Climate post. His group has planted over 200,000 trees, aiming to mitigate the impact of climate change.
As climate change continues to impact vulnerable populations globally, Uganda’s refugee settlements like Nakivale are on the frontline of these challenges. While efforts are being made to mitigate environmental degradation, the situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions and increased support for the millions of refugees facing an uncertain future.