Kyangwali refugees urged to embrace environmental conservation

Refugee communities living in Kyangwali refugee settlement in Kikuube district have been challenged to embrace environmental protection campaigns as they draw strategies to fight food insecurity.

 Speaking on behalf of different development partners who operate in the settlement, James Ahimbisibwe team leaders at Lutheran World Federation a non-government organization lamented that different refugee activities such as cultivation, house construction and search for fire have resulted in environmental degradation. 

Ahimbisibwe who was speaking at the celebration of the belated World Food Day on Wednesday organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) which was celebrated under the theme "Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave NO One Behind” said that such degradation has caused change in weather.

The day was celebrated with an agricultural exhibition to equip the refugee community with modern farming methods among others.  

Joseph Ongom a refugee farmer under Dongorombo farmers group showcasing how to use solar for irrigation

Noting that such changes in weather are affecting food production and underscoring a need to look for activities that can restore the environment, he added that there is a need to empower the refugee community with good methods of farming which are environmentally friendly such as irrigation and usage of clean energy.

“Because of many irresponsible activities, the environment has been depleted and this is affecting food production. We need to look at activities that can restore the environment such that we are able to produce food.  As we try to restore the environment we also need to explore the ways of making sure that we have increased food  production."  he said  

  Richard Ekeu, World Food Programme (WFP) programme associate,  noted that as they celebrate World Food Day, the issues of water protection should be prioritized to trigger and double food production in the host and refugee communities.

He challenged the host and refugee communities to embrace tree planting campaigns as one of conserving the environment and water system in their operation.    

John Kiburara, the Kikuube district fisheries officer who represented the Kikuube district production officer expressed concern over the increasing encroachment on water catmints areas in the district.

He noted there is a need to sensitize refugees and host communities on the importance of conservation to see that all the people operating wetlands and other ecologically sensitive areas vacate and allow such areas to be restored.

Topheus Chali, the Kyangwali refugee settlement commander commended different development partners for their support towards the welfare of the refugees living in the country.

John Kiburara the Kikuube district fisheries officer and other officials inspecting the stalls with women displaying how to grow vegetables in sacks and pots

She noted that because of conflicts in the neighboring countries, the Kyangwali settlement area is always receiving refugees and with the support of partners, they are able to look after and manage such people.

She challenged the refugee community to use the skills and knowledge acquired at the exhibition to produce food for their families to be able to have good health.