Enviromental Implications of Refugee Influx on Host Communities in Uganda; a Case of Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Yumbe District

Abstract

The study assessed the influence of refugees on the natural environment of the host communities using the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe District, Uganda. In fact, since the inception of the refugees in 2017, there have been rapid land use changes and increased utilization of natural resources in Bidibidi because of the large number of refugees entering the area. This has resulted in massive clearing for settlement and farmland, increased deforestation for energy sources, among others, which have become great contributors to climate change. It aimed to understand the environmental challenges, including congestion, sanitation, and non-sustainable living practices that such settlements impose on the environment, with implications for public health and ecosystem sustainability. A desk review from various sources of literature was done, including UNHCR reports, peer-reviewed articles, and regional studies. From these, the imperatives for resource management strategies were identified as dire. The results indicated that the refugee crisis was a global issue, but Africa shared a big proportion of the burden. As a result, countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia faced extreme environmental strains from these great increases in refugee populations. This study has contributed to the academic knowledge of environmental impacts associated with refugee settlements and provided associated policy recommendations for mitigating such impacts. It underlined the need for harmonization of humanitarian needs with environmental sustainability as a contribution toward improvement in the livelihoods of both refugees and their host communities.