Action on Poverty, a small charity based in Bristol, and its Ugandan partner charity VEDCO have launched a transformative project in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda. The project will provide over 30,000 people with the means to take care of their lived environments, grow enough food and fortify their incomes against climate shocks.
Palabek Refugee Settlement currently shelters over 69,000 refugees, the majority of whom have fled conflict in Sudan. Life in the settlement is heavily tied to the quality of the soil and the regularity of the rains, with depression diagnoses going up during dry seasons when food is scarce. Malnutrition and unemployment are common, with only 21.8% of refugees in the camp employed (UNHCR, 2022).
The project will focus on climate-smart agriculture, which views food insecurity, poverty alleviation, and climate change as interconnected challenges, requiring grassroots transformation. Locally-managed access to drought-tolerant seeds, solar-drying facilities, energy-efficient stoves, organic fertilisers and improved conservation methods will be provided to increase the availability of sustainable, nutritious vegetables.
Alex Daniels, Action on Poverty’s CEO, said: “The refugees in Palabek have seen so much, gone through so much and now they are having to deal with man-made climate change wiping out their food supplies and destroying livelihoods. We cannot leave these people behind. That’s why we’ve designed a project which addresses the food crisis in the settlement and at the same time gives refugees and hosts alike the means and resources to look after their shared environment.”
Since 1986, Action on Poverty has supported over a million people to escape poverty by creating opportunities for people to gain skills and livelihoods in East and West Africa.
Gladys Lasso, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Action on Poverty, said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating healthier, happier, and more prosperous futures for all in Palabek Refugee Settlement through sustainable agricultural practices and community empowerment.”
Action on Poverty, a small charity based in Bristol, have partnered with Ugandan charity VEDCO to launch a transformative project in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda. The project will provide over 30,000 people with the means to take care of their lived environments, grow enough food and fortify their incomes against climate shocks.
Palabek Refugee Settlement currently shelters over 69,000 refugees, the majority of whom have fled conflict in Sudan. With only 21.8% of refugees in the camp employed (UNHCR, 2022) and depression diagnoses increasing during dry seasons when food is scarce, the project will focus on climate-smart agriculture to help increase the availability of sustainable, nutritious vegetables to those at risk of malnutrition.
Locally-managed access to drought-tolerant seeds, solar-drying facilities, energy-efficient stoves, organic fertilisers and improved conservation methods will be provided in order to address food insecurity, poverty alleviation, and climate change.
Alex Daniels, Action on Poverty’s CEO, said: “We cannot leave these people behind. That’s why we’ve designed a project which addresses the food crisis in the settlement and at the same time gives refugees and hosts alike the means and resources to look after their shared environment.”
Gladys Lasso, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Action on Poverty, added: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating healthier, happier, and more prosperous futures for all in Palabek Refugee Settlement through sustainable agricultural practices and community empowerment.”
Action on Poverty, a Bristol-based charity, have partnered with Ugandan charity VEDCO to launch a project in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda. The project aims to provide over 30,000 people with the means to take care of their environment, grow enough food and fortify their incomes against climate shocks.
Palabek Refugee Settlement currently shelters over 69,000 refugees, the majority of whom have fled conflict in Sudan. With only 21.8% of refugees in the camp employed (UNHCR, 2022) and depression diagnoses increasing during dry seasons when food is scarce, the project will focus on climate-smart agriculture to help increase the availability of sustainable, nutritious vegetables.
Locally-managed access to drought-tolerant seeds, solar-drying facilities, energy-efficient stoves, organic fertilisers and improved conservation methods will be provided. Alex Daniels, Action on Poverty’s CEO, said: “We cannot leave these people behind. That’s why we’ve designed a project which addresses the food crisis in the settlement and at the same time gives refugees and hosts alike the means and resources to look after their shared environment.”
Gladys
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.