Introduction
The relief effort in Darfur takes place in a context of greater environmental vulnerability than many of the larger relief operations of recent years such as the Balkans, Liberia, Sierra Leone and South Sudan. Access to environmental resources is central to the chronic conflict between pastoralists and farmers and therefore an important component of the Darfur crisis. Environmental resources are under considerable stress in Darfur as a result of the concentration of demand caused by the massive population displacement. Increased demand over a prolonged period of time is not only undermining the resource base essential for Darfur's recovery, but also constraining the impact of the relief programme, particularly with regard to protection.
This report argues that a framework of sustainable resource management (SRM) is needed to mitigate environmental degradation in the context of the relief programme. It applies both at programme and project level. It is needed as a counterbalance to the supply side targets, which the relief programme works to. The purpose of integrating SRM is threefold:
- to minimise the risks of acute localised resource depletion that could undermine the humanitarian programme
- to implement a do-no-harm approach in Darfur's chronic conflict over environmental resources
- to build the capacity for recovery, development and adaptation to climate change before returns occur.
The report has four objectives:
- to provide a rationale for the particular importance of environmental issues in the Darfur relief context (Section 2)
- to describe SRM as an appropriate framework for environmental mitigation in the context of relief (Section 3)
- to make recommendations in the context of this framework for the priority areas of: - integrating environment in relief (Section 4)
- forestry (Section 5)
- water security (Section 6)
Further description of the recommended responses is provided in the appendices. The guidelines in the appendices are not prescriptive but provide processes that need to be developed in the Darfur context.
- to articulate broader questions for relief practice that arise out of the review of environment in the Darfur programme (Section 7).
Tearfund's determination to promote environmental mitigation in Darfur comes from having identified it as a priority in the course of managing three multidisciplinary humanitarian projects in West and South Darfur. The additional assessment described in Section 8.1 of environmental impacts of both the relief and the conflict was planned but has been delayed until 2007 due to security constraints. This report is based on a shorter mission by the study team, Tearfund's project experience and collaboration with other environmental initiatives in Darfur.
A scoping report for the additional environmental assessment will be produced shortly after this report. The detailed study proposed in the scoping report will add technical depth to the work and will add an analysis of the social implications of environment in Darfur.
Concurrently with the production of this report Tearfund is undertaking an assessment of water resources at the camps in Darfur most vulnerable to groundwater depletion. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with UNICEF, WES and the broader water sector.
The team (see page 5) made the following visits as part of the fieldwork:
- Zalengei area to meet with Sudanese community stakeholders to research environment and conflict linkages
- Adamaata, Dorti and Riyad camps in Geneina
- Abu Shouq and Al Salaam camps in El Fasher.
The work also builds on Tearfund's participation in the UNEP Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment field trip to Nyala, El Fasher, Kebkabiya, Kutum, Mellit and Malha, as well as Tearfund's work in Geneina, Masterei, Beida and Arara.
The fieldwork included data collection from questionnaires completed by food security and livelihood, water and sanitation, and camp management organisations operational in Darfur. Tearfund is grateful for all the work that went into answering these detailed questionnaires.
The work is funded by UNHCR, DFID, OFDA and undertaken with additional collaboration with UNICEF, FAO and UNEP. The team is grateful for assistance from Dr Muawia Shaddad, Dr Omer Egemi, Dr Yagoub Abdalla Mohamed, Fiona Ward, Mtendere Mphatso, Rogerio Bonifacio, Gert Ludeking, Paul Symonds, Clare Barrington, Tim Sumner, and many others who provided advice and assistance in the field. Dr Bashir Kamal of UNESCO provided assistance on the field trip to El Fasher. The support and flexibility from Tearfund's Disaster Management Team has been much appreciated, particularly from Tim Holmes and Ed Walker.
Further discussion on environment and relief in Darfur should be addressed to Brendan Bromwich on dmt-northsudan-env@tearfund.org.