Refugees needs to be sensitization on Environmental conservation
Local community-based organizations operating in the refugee settlement of Uganda are appealing for more awareness on environment conservation in the settlement.
This appeal was made by Martine Justine the Executive director of Dynamic action for peace and Rehabilitation a local CBO operating in Rhino camp refugees settlement during hope for refugee’s talk show in Access FM
Martine said, as refugees came into the settlement, the place had a lot of trees, which do not exist anymore because they have been cut down either for use to build houses for refugees or used as firewood.
He said that the majority of refugees cut down trees to get firewood for cooking and since it is not known when they will go back to their countries and also the fact that there is a huge influx of them in the settlements, it is important to sensitize refugees about conservation of trees.
Martine expressed that in order to improve the environment for the welfare of everyone, there is a need to join hands and sensitize people about environmental conservation as well as carry out a massive tree-planting campaign.
“There is need also to encourage the refugees to use alternative sources of energy for cooking such as briquettes which are made from local wastes as it will reduce the demand for firewood,” Martine offered to add that it is very important for people to adopt the idea of using briquette at their homes so that more trees can be preserved at the refugees’ settlement camps.
“There is a great need for the implementing partners to come and buy the briquette to supply to the refugees with special needs especially those who cannot afford to buy firewood or move for long distance in search of firewood as well as those who cannot get money to buy the briquette,” Martine explained. Adding that this will help the refugees to adopt the use of briquette.
He further explained that when the refugees and host communities join hands in tree planting exercise the benefits will be extensive.
By Gaaniko Samson Jerry
