As the world commemorated World Refugee Day on Monday, refugees in Uganda are committing to protect the environment.
Experts say the over 1.5 million refugees in Uganda are exerting pressure on the environment in areas where they are hosted. Uganda is the largest refugee hosting country in Africa and the third in the world after Turkey and Colombia.
“The pressure on the environment, on forests and wetlands in refugee-hosting districts, is particularly telling,” Esther Anyakun, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees said in a statement issued here to commemorate World Refugee Day.
“We must do all we can to support tree planting and wetland regeneration efforts, while at the same time providing alternative sources of clean energy for use by refugees and host communities,” she added.
If not tamed, environmental degradation will exacerbate tensions, protection risks, and socioeconomic vulnerability in the refugee hosting areas, according to environmentalists.
Refugees, as well as the host community, need water, firewood, and building materials to survive. In some settlements, the tree population has decreased significantly, according to the statement.
Refugees, with support from government and several agencies are now committing to protect the environment.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office here and the state-run National Forestry Authority have so far distributed 1.5 million ornamental and fruit tree seedlings to refugees and host communities for planting. The goal, according to a joint statement issued here is to plant 5.3 million trees this year.
Communities and schools have been actively engaged to keep their surroundings green and conserve the environment.
Environment clubs in primary and secondary schools in refugee hosting areas have been formed and they have over 5,000 young people. These clubs have planted over 5,500 trees this year alone. Enditem
