Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
Uganda, hosting over 1.8 million refugees as of January 2025, is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo reside in settlements across Uganda, with Nyumanzi settlement in Adjumani district hosting 47,342 refugees. Uganda’s vulnerability to climate change is ranked among the highest globally. The country’s agricultural dependency and inadequate preparedness amplify its climate risks.
Nyumanzi, established in 2014, faces considerable climate-related challenges, particularly extreme heat, prolonged dry spells and flooding, compounded by a heavy reliance on agriculture and constrained infrastructure capacity. In 2023, floods temporarily displaced over 4,000 people, and the region is projected to experience severe heat risks by the end of the century. The refugee population, nearly all from South Sudan, is predominantly Dinka, while the host community is mainly Madi. A large majority of refugees (82%) have lived in Nyumanzi for nine to ten years or more, with 96% engaged in agriculture and 57% involved in animal husbandry.
Identified Information Gaps
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Sixth Assessment Report highlights significant data gaps regarding the granular climate impacts on vulnerable groups and the effectiveness of local adaptation measures. The report calls for more localised, context-specific data to improve adaptation strategies. It emphasises the increasing recognition of sectors such as health, education, and the broader food system as essential components of comprehensive climate adaptation. While agriculture is frequently studied, it is essential to consider the entire food chain (e.g., storage, transportation and processing) rather than focusing solely on crop production. These gaps were further confirmed in Uganda during U-Learn’s extensive scoping exercise conducted with various refugee response actors between April and June 2024.
Objectives of the Assessment
The U-Learn assessment, funded by UK aid, examines climate change response strategies in Nyumanzi settlement’s refugee and host communities (Adjumani district). It aims to provide detailed data on the perceived local climate impacts, enhance understanding of vulnerable populations’ responses and equip humanitarian actors with actionable insights for more effective responses. By focusing on the lived experiences on the ground, beyond statistics, the assessment highlights the realities faced by communities. The findings can also be used to advocate for local climate action and for climate funding, with a particular focus on health, shelter and livelihoods (including markets, agriculture and household labour).