Transcript Indigenous Coping Mechanisms and Conflict Management in

Indigenous Coping Mechanisms and
Conflict Management in Karamoja, Uganda
Marlieke Kieboom
MA candidate
International Studies: Complex Emergencies
Presentation
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Introduction : Karamoja in distress
Traditional (positive) coping strategies
Problems
Modern (negative) coping strategies
Conflict management initiatives
Conclusion
Introduction: Karamoja in distress
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Where is Karamoja?
Which problems occur?
Why address Karamoja?
Introduction: Karamoja in distress
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Where is Karamoja?
Which problems
occur?
Why address
Karamoja?
Source: UN OCHA 2008
Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies
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Definition “adaptation”
“Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment made in natural or human
systems in response to actual or expected climate stimuli or their effects in order
to moderate harm or make use of beneficial opportunities.” (Orindi and Eriksen
2005)
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Definition “livelihood”
“Livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and
social resources) and activities required for a means of living. It is considered
sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks, and
maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while
not undermining the natural resource base. (UNEP 2009: 7)
Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies
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Mobility / dual settlement
Insurance by splitting stock
Indigenous knowledge of nature
Traditional elders system
Cattle raiding
Mixed crops
Spiritual life
Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies
Problems in Karamoja
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Food security
Water security
Breakdown of traditional authority
Political and economic marginalization
Physical insecurity (small arms)
Problems in Karamoja
Problems in Karamoja
“ In the past there was enough rain. Whenever it rained the fields would yield all
kinds of fruit and our mother would store lots of food in our granaries. We used
to have plenty of boiled sorghum and porridge to eat and plenty of milk to
drink. But now things are different. Cows are dying. The rains have
disappeared. And when it rains these days, it just drizzles. The drizzle does not
enable the sorghum to grow properly. The climate is unpredictable now. And
when it does rain, it can be destructive; it sometimes causes bad floods, which
then destroy our crops, just like last year. The drinking water that we used to
fetch from the riverbeds can no longer be found. The riverbeds have dried up
as well. Only hard rock is found beneath them. There is a lot of thirst; even the
few livestock we own have so little water. I lament, ‘what can I do to address
this thirst?’. Even if you have food to cook, you still need water to do the
cooking. What can I do? There aren’t enough words to express the pain.”
Karimojong woman - Oxfam Report Climate Change, 2008: 19
Modern (negative) Coping Strategies
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Skip meal
Deforestation
School drop out
Intensified & commercialized cattle raiding
Banditry
Out-migration
Vicious downward spiral
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shock
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negative coping
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increased vulnerability to future shocks (i.e. reduced
access to basic commodities such as food, health
care and investments in livelihoods)
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new shock
Conflict Management Initiatives:
Sustainable future for Karamoja?
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NGO’s
1. Conflict sensitive development / local participatory process
2. Food provision
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Government
1. Disarmament (failure)
2. Mobility restriction (failure)
3. Disarmament and development
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Researchers
1. Local conflict management processes
2. Local resource management
3. Gender
General policy recommendations
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Strengthen existing strategies
Invest in technical solutions
Encourage mobility
Involve the Karimojong, especially elders
Reduction of insecurity and
Development, economic growth
Develop new conflict solving mechanisms
Dilemma’s
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Local knowledge: what is it, who owns it?
Local power balance: local power holders, and
gendered problem
Conclusion
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“Integrating environment and natural resources into peace
building is no longer an option – it is a security imperative”
(UNEP 2009)
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Karimojong need alternative livelihood systems for the
youth, the bandit, the herder, the family to secure livelihoods
and prevent conflict.
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Sustainable livelihood strategies for a sustainable and secure
future for the Karimojong.
Thank You