DADAAB, Kenya — Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for stronger environmental conservation initiatives within the country’s refugee camps, advocating for empowering both refugees and their host communities to take charge of reforestation, water conservation, and soil management.
Speaking during a high-level forum for refugee stakeholders in Mombasa, Duale highlighted the pressing need for sustainable solutions to counter the environmental pressures brought by decades of hosting displaced populations.
He emphasized the importance of equipping refugees and local communities around Dadaab and Kakuma with skills in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and environmental management, aiming to ease reliance on local resources.
“We need capacity-building programs that can instill practical skills in sustainable resource use,” Duale stated, adding that integrating refugees and host communities in these efforts could greatly aid in managing scarce resources while building local resilience.
The meeting was organized by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Regional Development, led by Chairperson Peter Lochakapong.
In recent weeks, the committee visited both Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps on a fact-finding mission to evaluate the conditions of refugees, host communities, and environmental impacts.
Lochakapong acknowledged the significant but overlooked environmental strain, noting that Kenya’s three-decade history of refugee hosting has yet to yield a comprehensive impact assessment.
Duale reiterated Kenya’s dedication to providing a safe haven for those escaping conflict and hardship across the region, stating that refugee policies must align with broader goals for environmental sustainability and socio-economic growth.
He outlined plans to promote renewable energy, such as solar power, to reduce the widespread reliance on firewood that exacerbates deforestation and health risks, particularly among women and children tasked with gathering fuel.
“With community-led conservation and renewable energy adoption, we can reduce environmental strain and foster stronger, more cohesive communities,” he said.
Duale confirmed that his ministry is committed to supporting policies that benefit both refugees and host populations, addressing resource scarcity while preserving the environment.
Speaking during a high-level forum for refugee stakeholders in Mombasa, Duale highlighted the pressing need for sustainable solutions to counter the environmental pressures brought by decades of hosting displaced populations.
He emphasized the importance of equipping refugees and local communities around Dadaab and Kakuma with skills in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and environmental management, aiming to ease reliance on local resources.
“We need capacity-building programs that can instill practical skills in sustainable resource use,” Duale stated, adding that integrating refugees and host communities in these efforts could greatly aid in managing scarce resources while building local resilience.
The meeting was organized by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Regional Development, led by Chairperson Peter Lochakapong.
In recent weeks, the committee visited both Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps on a fact-finding mission to evaluate the conditions of refugees, host communities, and environmental impacts.
Lochakapong acknowledged the significant but overlooked environmental strain, noting that Kenya’s three-decade history of refugee hosting has yet to yield a comprehensive impact assessment.
Duale reiterated Kenya’s dedication to providing a safe haven for those escaping conflict and hardship across the region, stating that refugee policies must align with broader goals for environmental sustainability and socio-economic growth.
He outlined plans to promote renewable energy, such as solar power, to reduce the widespread reliance on firewood that exacerbates deforestation and health risks, particularly among women and children tasked with gathering fuel.
“With community-led conservation and renewable energy adoption, we can reduce environmental strain and foster stronger, more cohesive communities,” he said.
Duale confirmed that his ministry is committed to supporting policies that benefit both refugees and host populations, addressing resource scarcity while preserving the environment.
