Local Actions, Global Lessons – Uganda, Burundi, Niger: The urgent need for durable solutions

13/12/2022

Read the new edition of our series of publications – “Local Actions, Global Lessons” – which explores the policy lessons of the Caritas network’s engagements in fragile contexts. This collection of articles focuses on the reception of refugees in Uganda, the situation of returnees in Burundi and the links between climate and food insecurity in Niger.

Following the previous edition of this publication which focused on the situation in Eastern DR Congo, the analyses, testimonies, good practices and policy recommendations gathered by Caritas International Belgium (CI.be) in this edition of “Local Actions, Global Lessons” highlight three other protracted crisis contexts.

Our Caritas network partner organisations in Burundi, Niger and Uganda share their experiences and local expertise on the following issues:

Strengthening local responses and structures for the prevention of climate risks, food insecurity, and conflict.
Supporting socio-economic development in fragile contexts by promoting family farming and diversified, inclusive, and sustainable sources of income.
Integrating mobility, protection of displaced populations, and peace issues in programs and policies.
Developing a position on the “triple nexus”^[1] that clarifies Belgium’s vision for implementation in fragile contexts.

>> READ the full publication: Local Actions, Global Lessons – Uganda, Burundi, Niger: The urgent need for durable solutions

In western Uganda, Caritas supported Bahati and Issa, his adopted son, to open a bakery to support themselves © Esther Mbabazi

Refugees in Uganda: What prospects for durable solutions?

> Read the article about Uganda (pages 5 to 11)

This analysis was written in partnership with Caritas Hoima (HOCADEO).

The escalating conflicts in DR Congo and South Sudan continue to drive thousands of men, women, and children to flee to Uganda, already the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. While Ugandan authorities express their intention to continue their long tradition of hospitality and protection, some key obstacles remain in the way of promoting durable solutions for all.

Jacinthe fled Burundi to Tanzania during the civil war in 1993 before returning to Kirundo province in northern Burundi. © Isabel Corthier / Caritas International

Return to Burundi, but under what conditions?

> Read the article on Burundi (pages 12 to 19)

This analysis was written with the Justice and Peace Department of Caritas Muyinga (ODEDIM).

In February 2022, the European Union (EU) lifted political sanctions on Burundi, citing the “large number of refugees [who] have returned voluntarily,” as a sign of progress».^[2] Behind these statistics, hundreds of thousands of returnees after years in exile continue to face a multitude of specific challenges. To address these challenges, a holistic approach is needed, along with monitoring and support for the commitments made by the Burundian government

Agroecological practices, as promoted by Caritas, are particularly effective in contexts such as Niger where access to water and desertification are major challenges. © Johanna de Tessières / Caritas International

Climate and food insecurity in Niger: Prevention, agroecology, and human mobility

> Read the article about Niger (pages 20 to 26)

This analysis was written in partnership with CADEV Niger.

In Niger, perhaps more than elsewhere, the challenge of food security will go hand in hand with climate adaptation. Three ways of intervention are emerging today: investing in the prevention and anticipation of climate risks, supporting agroecology to transform food systems, and making human mobility a cross-cutting issue in the framework of climate and cooperation policies.

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> Do you have any questions about this publication? Write to us at advocacy@caritasint.be

[1]

Promoted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ‘triple nexus’ approach aims to link humanitarian, sustainable development and peace actions in order to enhance the sustainability of interventions, reduce vulnerabilities and address their root causes. For more information, see OECD (2019) Recommandation du CAD sur l’articulation entre action humanitaire, développement et recherche de la paix ; 11.11.11 (2021) Triple Nexus: How Humanitarian, Development and Peace Actors can Work Together.

[2]

Council of the European Union (2022) Burundi: EU lifts existing restrictions under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.