Addressing Environmental Challenges in Refugee Communities
Addressing Environmental Challenges in Refugee Communities
It's a typical day in Adagom 3 refugee settlement, Cross River State. Amid the scorching heat, children play in the sand while women prepare meals for their families using wood. The heat, warmer than previous years, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing impacts of climate change on the environment.
“It worries me to see the settlement littered with organic and inorganic waste that could be utilized, and to witness conflicts between refugees and hosts over the cutting of trees for cooking fuel,” says Cameroonian refugee and environmental activist, Nfor Victor.
In 2021, Victor and his family fled their home in the Southwestern region of Cameroon to Nigeria after a traumatizing experience. He recalls that unknown individuals had delivered a letter threatening to kill him and his children. Shortly after, his wife was raped, and eight neighbours were killed.
As he began to rebuild his life, Victor turned to his passion for renewable energy. Driven by a desire to address deforestation, cooking fuel scarcity, and environmental pollution from plastics and domestic waste, he founded the Community-Based Organization (CBO) GROFLINE, enlisting the help of both refugees and host communities.
“I trained in renewable energy and established a similar CBO back home in 2014. Unfortunately, my dreams and everything fell apart due to the war,” he said.
Founding GROFLINE marked a new chapter for Victor, filled with hope and progress. He hired 12 dedicated staff members and brought renewable energy solutions to the community using locally sourced and inexpensive materials. He installed 25 biogas plants, a prototype solar dryer, and a plastic recycling machine.
A solar dryer preserves food to prevent contamination in Adagom 3, Cross River State.
They have trained over 70 refugees and host community members in recycling techniques. Additionally, they have conducted awareness sessions on caring for the environment, reaching thousands of refugees. The solar dryer has also been particularly effective in preserving food, thereby contributing to a reduction in illnesses caused by bacteria among refugees.
Scaling up these seemingly small renewable energy efforts can significantly address environmental challenges, benefiting thousands of refugees and host communities. As we face the devastating impacts of climate change, expanding such initiatives is crucial for building resilient communities and ensuring a sustainable future.
Forcibly displaced individuals like Victor are at the forefront of pioneering sustainable solutions to the environmental issues driving climate change globally. They bring valuable skills, talents, and a strong desire to create positive change and contribute to their host communities. Victor concluded, “My dream will be finally fulfilled if every refugee household can afford clean cooking fuel, deforestation is eradicated, and the settlement is free from plastic waste.”
