Work Package 2-Layered vulnerabilities amongst refugees and IDPs (Uganda)

Work Package 2 explores the climate mobility nexus with sociological, scientific and political discourses about the impact of migration, specifically refugees and IDPs’ layered social-economic vulnerabilities, and how cities prepare for such influxes in the future in Uganda. It is led by Dr. Alan Dixon and Dr. Frank Ahimbisibwe.

While much is already known about the dynamics of migration in the Lake Victoria Basin (and particularly in Uganda), this WP2 research delves deeper into examining the relative influence of climate change in driving migration and its subsequent socio-economic, environmental, cultural and political impacts. A key focus of the WP is understanding the influence of climate-induced migration on livelihood change and resilience, both among migrant and host communities. This will inform our understanding of the mechanisms, barriers and facilitators that contribute to community-based adaptations, which in turn can inform targeted development interventions.

These field and community-based research elements of the WP are complemented by the WP’s analysis of policy and practice in Uganda, and its engagement with NGO and government stakeholders. Put simply, understanding the situation and reciprocal linkages between the ‘bottom’ (migrants and hosts) and the ‘top’ (planners, policymakers, government, NGOs) helps us identify the ‘middle’ spaces for interventions that can empower adaptive capacity and resilience, and form the basis of progressive policies and planning.

Aims of Workpackage 2

  1. To explore existing socio-economic vulnerabilities (SEVs) among refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Uganda, and how these have been influenced by different climate Representative Key Risks (RKRs).

  2. To Identify and analyse governance and policy gaps in addressing the intersections of climate-induced migration and SEVs in Uganda.

  3. To identify the intercultural interactions and integration processes among climate refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities.

  4. To assess the existing climate adaptation and resilience strategies to mitigate climate-induced socioeconomic vulnerabilities (SEVs) among refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Uganda.

Research Questions

Methods

·       Data Types: qualitative data composed of audio recordings, transcripts and photographs.

·       Collection Methods: qualitative data obtained from interviews (migrants and host communities), Focus Group Discussions (migrants), Participatory Photography (migrants and host communities), and Participatory Stakeholder Workshops (planners, policymakers, NGO and government staff).

·       Storage: Audio/video recordings, transcripts, and digital notes stored on password protected servers (MUST and UoW) and / or encrypted hard drives accessible only to the research team. Printed materials and notes are stored in secure locations.

·       Data Processing: Involves transcription, coding, and thematic analysis.