Title: Nakivale refugees engage in reforestation action to preserve the environment
Introduction:
In the heart of the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, a group of workers, including both male and female refugees, are busy on a rocky escarpment of a hill. Armed with rudimentary tools, they dig holes, plant pine plants there and then cover them with earth. This reforestation initiative, carried out for more than six years in Nakivale, is the fruit of the initiative of Enoch Twagirayesu, a Burundian refugee who fled the conflict in his country in 2003. He remembers with emotion his first days in within the camp, and the presence of lush vegetation which has unfortunately disappeared today, giving way to a barren landscape due to the demand for firewood, construction materials and arable land.
Demographic pressure: an environmental challenge
According to official figures from October 2023, more than 180,000 refugees now live in Nakivale camp. Cleous Bwambale of the Nsamizi Training Institute for Social Development, one of several NGOs in the region, explains that the continued influx of refugees from neighboring countries is putting additional pressure on an already weakened camp: degradation of the environment in Nakivale is considerably due to the presence of refugees. Indeed, the majority of new arrivals come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and require construction equipment for their installation. Therefore, the remaining trees are being cut down to meet this growing construction demand.
Major environmental consequences
Over the years, Nakivale has also faced episodes of environmental disasters, such as drought. A few years ago, Lake Nakivale, the main source of water in the region, saw its level drop significantly due to human activities. This situation has led to a shortage of water and supply difficulties for the pumps used by the refugees.
Positive initiatives to preserve the environment
However, the action of certain actors, like Enoch Twagirayesu, has aroused the interest of development agencies to become more involved in the preservation of the environment in Nakivale. Thus, a nursery was created to support the efforts of refugees in their reforestation action. This initiative also makes it possible to transfer knowledge about the environment and the creation of nurseries to refugees.
Encouraging results
The refugees’ efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with many trees appearing in previously barren areas. Additionally, rains have become more frequent in recent years. However, Enoch Twagirayesu stresses that there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve their goal. So far, more than 460,000 trees have been planted in Nakivale, but they hope to plant more across the entire area covered by the National Environmental Management Authority. They particularly face challenges such as lack of seeds and water reservoirs to water the trees during the dry season.
Conclusion:
The Nakivale refugee-led reforestation initiative is an inspiring example of the commitment of these communities to preserve the environment and combat degradation caused by demand for basic resources. Despite the challenges encountered, these refugees have shown that they are willing to invest time and energy to bring life back to the land that welcomes them. Their hard work has already paid off, but it is essential that development agencies and donors support these initiatives to ensure their sustainability and continuity.