Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in Ugandan Refugee Settlements 

Study Site: Kyaka II, Kiryandongo, and Bidibidi Refugee Settlements, Uganda

Food insecurity is a major problem for refugees in Uganda, as most households rely on food aid and agriculture for sustenance and income. Any disruption to food production plunges many refugees into dire circumstances. This is a constant problem as much of the food production in refugee settlements relies on non-mechanized farming methods, which are at the mercy of climate change.

This project identifies refugee communities' vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition and aims to prevent a disaster from occurring amid an existing humanitarian crisis. This research seeks to investigate the relationship between changing climate patterns, agricultural productivity, and the nutritional well-being of refugee populations. This information would inform targeted interventions and support the development of context-specific, climate-adaptive strategies to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition among refugees in Uganda.

Main Research Questions

• What are the impacts of climate change on food availability in Uganda refugee settlements?
• How does climate change impact food access in Uganda refugee settlements?
• What are the current and future coping strategies to improve food security within refugee settlements in the face of climate change?

Research Team

• Michael Toskinz Wagaba(Principal investigator)- Research Fellow, Makerere University, Uganda
• Nakitende Hajarah- Research Fellow, Makerere University, Uganda