Climate resilience part 3: prioritising peace
Northern Uganda, a region marked by decades of conflict and instability, faces a new and formidable challenge: climate change. The intricate interplay between climate change and issues of international peace and security has profound implications for this area. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for devising effective strategies to promote stability and resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Historical context of northern Uganda
Uganda has a turbulent history, particularly due to the insurgency led by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) which lasted over two decades. This conflict resulted in widespread displacement, loss of life, and disruption of social structures. Although relative peace has been restored since the LRA's decline, the scars of conflict linger, impacting the region's socio-economic fabric and vulnerability to external shocks.
The impact of climate change on peace in Uganda
Climate change manifests in northern Uganda through increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and severe flooding. These environmental changes have dire consequences for agriculture, which is the backbone of the local economy and forms the basis of our major project Cents for Seeds. Crop failures and reduced agricultural productivity exacerbate food insecurity and poverty, leading to increased competition over scarce resources.
What are the different factors at play?
Resource scarcity and conflict: As natural resources such as water and arable land become scarce, competition among communities intensifies. This can escalate tensions and potentially lead to conflict, undermining the fragile peace that has been established.
Displacement and migration: Climate-induced displacement is a growing concern. Families and communities forced to leave their homes due to environmental degradation add to the region's demographic pressures, straining the already limited resources and social services.
Economic instability: The economic impacts of climate change, including loss of livelihoods and increased poverty, can fuel social unrest. High levels of unemployment and economic hardship create a breeding ground for criminal activities and radicalization, threatening regional stability.
Health and wellbeing: Climate change exacerbates health challenges by increasing the prevalence of diseases such as malaria and waterborne illnesses. Poor health outcomes weaken community resilience and can destabilize social order, as a sick and struggling population is less capable of maintaining peace and security.
How is this affecting Love Mercy’s programs?
Through Cents for Seeds, women are given a micro-loan of seeds and the skills to become small-scale farmers in their communities. The idea is that once women harvest their first crop, they then pay back their initial loan, with interest, so that it can be passed on to the next woman waiting to join the program. In order to pay back this loan, however, they need a consistent water source for a successful harvest. With droughts and erratic rainfall leading to lost harvests, time and time again we see more participants remaining in debt, resulting in those who wish to join being forced to wait another year to receive their loan. This is creating tension between active participants and those waiting to join Cents for Seeds, as resentment intensifies for both groups due to forces completely outside of their control.
What are we doing to build resilience and adapt?
It is understandable that both active participants in Cents for Seeds and those waiting to join the program may feel disheartened. Our goal is to mitigate the impacts of climate change, adapt our programs to build resilience, and spread hope through knowledge sharing and offering as much support as possible.
Love Mercy is currently investing in climate-resilient agricultural practices, water management systems, and renewable energy sources to help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. We have begun looking into initiatives such as agroforestry, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable irrigation practices. Stay tuned for updates on how these new initiatives are impacting our programs and helping to address the challenges of climate change in northern Uganda.
The other ways in which Love Mercy is working to build greater resilience in our programs is through economic diversification, healthcare and education, and international cooperation. Diversifying the local economy beyond agriculture reduces vulnerability to climate shocks. This is why participants are automatically enrolled in a Village Savings and Loan group (VSLA) when they join Cents for Seeds. VSLA’s help to establish additional Income Generating Activities (IGA) in the community such as tailoring projects, animal husbandry and farming additional land. Supporting these small businesses, vocational training, and infrastructure development can create alternative livelihoods and enhance economic stability.
Improving access to healthcare and education is crucial for building resilient communities. Through our work at the Kristina Health Centre, the staff conduct regular outreach programs where they spread awareness of water-borne illnesses such as Malaria becoming more prevalent as climate change intensifies. These health programs that address climate-related diseases and educational initiatives that raise awareness about climate change and sustainability can empower individuals to adapt and thrive.
Finally, global partnerships are essential for providing financial and technical support to northern Uganda. In the past, Love Mercy has partnered with major international aid organisations such as Water for Africa in order to build upon their successes and integrate them into our own program Well Worth It. We also partner with UNSW Sydney to co-design climate-resilient strategies such as water harvesting, irrigation and agroforestry. It’s vital that we prioritise climate adaptation and peacebuilding efforts, alongside knowledge sharing and industry best practice, to ensure that our limited resources are allocated efficiently and equitably.
Conclusion
The intersection of climate change and security in northern Uganda presents a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. By addressing the root causes of vulnerability and fostering resilience, the international community, in partnership with local stakeholders, can help northern Uganda navigate these challenges. Ensuring sustainable peace and security in the face of climate change is not only vital for the region but also for global stability and prosperity.
As we move forward, it is imperative to recognize the urgency of these issues and to act decisively. The future of northern Uganda, and indeed our collective future, depends on our ability to confront and adapt to the realities of a changing climate.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. We appreciate your support and hope that you will spread the news about Love Mercy far and wide! If you would like to make a donation in support of our programs in northern Uganda, head to the Give page on our website.