Paving the way to greener humanitarian responses in displacement settings
In a dynamic collaboration addressing the urgent challenges of forced displacement and environmental degradation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners took center stage at the first-ever Humanitarian hub set up by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, held from 30 November to 12 December.
On December 10, 2023, the session titled Greening the Humanitarian Response: A Sustainable, Resilient, and Accountable Approach in Displacement Settings, brought together a diverse panel of experts, including representatives from FAO, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Uganda Government Lead Negotiator on Adaptation.
Balancing humanitarian needs with sustainable management of natural resources
With over 100 million forcibly displaced people globally, the side event aimed to shed light on the challenges posed by overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, and unsustainable livelihoods in displacement settings and potential solutions. In his insightful introductory remarks, Mr Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO Forestry Division, emphasized that "Forests are indispensable in our efforts to adapt to climate change" and that "managing natural resources sustainably is imperative for the humanitarian and development sectors"; especially, in an environment where the convergence of climate related challenges and the increasing demand for resources have heightened the vulnerability of displaced and host communities.
The scale and protracted nature of displacement today, where the sudden and large-scale influx of displaced people is often putting high pressure on already fragile ecosystems, highlights more than ever the importance of adequately analyzing and planning the management of natural resources in a holistic and integrated manner.
The East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region is amongst the most affected by conflicts and climate-related disasters. The region is expected to host 23.6 million forcibly displaced and stateless people by the end of 2024, illustrating the severity of displacement due to various crises.
To address these complex challenges, Ms Fleur Wouterse, FAO Deputy Director Office of Emergencies and Resilience, stressed the importance of "greener humanitarian responses, which require inclusive, people-centered, and human rights-based approaches, underscoring the fundamental involvement of local communities in decision-making processes.
Mr Sajjad Malik, Director of the Division of Resilience and Solutions at UNHCR, emphasized that climate crises are also humanitarian crises and it is important to bring a change in forcibly displaced people's life. He advocated for a policy shift and a collaborative, participatory, and multi-partner approach in addressing climate and displacement challenges.
Nature-based solutions and collaborative initiatives
The event showcased various initiatives, with a focus on nature-based solutions currently being developed and tested in Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania through the newly launched Greening the humanitarian response in displacement settings (Green Humanitarian Project).
Planning the effective management of natural resources is crucial in the early stages of forced displacement, serving as a key step in fostering resilience among displaced individuals and their host communities.
The Green Humanitarian Project employs holistic and participatory approaches to address both immediate and long-term needs. This includes sustainable natural resource management, ensuring access to clean cooking energy and technologies, and creating forest-based value chains to enhance livelihood opportunities.
Mr Arturo Gianvenuti, Forestry and Energy Specialist at FAO, underscored the significant role that forest resources play to meet energy needs and livelihoods in the context of displacements and the importance to ensure sustainable and resilient harvesting of firewood and other forest products, including yield regulation and forest protection measures. He highlighted the importance of improving data and evidence on the environmental impact, energy needs and associated challenges to support decision-making for addressing both short-term humanitarian needs and long-term development goals.
Ms Ninni Ikkala Nyman, Senior Officer Climate Action at the IFRC, stressed the need for better planning in displacement settings to reduce risk and enhance food security through green belts and agriculture. She also shared lessons learned from the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Republic of Kenya.
Uganda’s innovative and sustainable approaches
Currently hosting 1.5 million refugees, Uganda stands as Africa's largest refugee host country. Against this backdrop, the Ugandan government has taken decisive measures, including integrating refugee protection and management into its National Development Plans through the Settlement Transformative Agenda.
A noteworthy shift from conventional humanitarian responses to forced displacement, Uganda's approach focuses on sustainable development and long-term solutions. The Forest Management Plan for the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement (2023–2028) exemplifies these collaborative efforts.
Mr John Kaddu, Chair of the Climate Change Adaptation Innovation, Uganda Government Lead Negotiator on Adaptation, explained that ‘’refugees and host communities in Uganda heavily rely on the forest resources around displacement settings to meet basic needs, such as energy for cooking, forest products for income generation, among others. Such needs are among the main drivers of land degradation and deforestation in this context. The Forest Management Plan for the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement (2023-2028), developed with the technical support of FAO and UNHCR, stands as a best practice of a collaborative effort with the Government of Uganda to address environmental impact, energy needs and livelihood opportunities. A planned approach for the management of forest resources in displacement settings in Uganda is vital for minimizing environmental impact and enhancing the resilience of refugees and host communities to climate and other shocks both in the short and long-term.’’
Uganda’s experience demonstrates that innovative and sustainable approaches can be adapted and scaled up in other countries to improve the resilience and well-being of both the affected communities and the environment that sustains them.
Towards more sustainable, accountable, and resilient responses in displacement settings
As we move towards more sustainable, accountable, and resilient responses in displacement settings, collaboration remains at the heart of effective solutions for a brighter and more sustainable future.
In the concluding words of Ms Amy Duchelle, Senior Forestry Officer at FAO, ‘’International collaboration and centering on the voices of those most at risk is key to identify sustainable solutions to the complex issues of climate change impacts, energy, livelihoods, and forced displacement".