Sections:
Sudan: Conflict and climate change
19 May 2008
Image courtesy of Oxfam
Um Dukhun is a small town in West Darfur directly affected by regional conflict,
drought and migration. The wider regional influence of violence extends into
both Chad and the Central African Republic.
Um Dukhun’s population has recently
increased considerably as hostility, drought and reduced harvest yields have
forced vulnerable rural communities to
migrate to the town. Life in rural Darfur is tough and uncompromising.
The remote village of Sofelaween is located 30 kilometres north east of Um Dukhun. Its
inhabitants are farmers who are dependant upon scarce natural
resources to sustain their livelihoods. During a recent Oxfam visit, Sofelaween
village elders and community members described their lives, recalling vividly
how life has changed over the last half century.
Image courtesy of Oxfam
The elders spoke of a time when natural resources (fertile land, wood and water) were
shared openly between tribes from nomadic pastoralist groups and settled
farming communities (agro-pastoralists). Natural resources were more readily
available and traditional practices existed to resolve any
disputes over them. Movement and safe
passage outside the village were also much easier, which supported the
community's livelihoods and subsistence economy.
While the Sofelaween community do not refer directly to "climate change", they recall the distinct periods of drought from which they have struggled to resist and recover. Drought has enforced migration, and the village population has gradually declined in size. Many young adults now choose to leave the village.
Groundwater levels have also declined and elders recognise that weather patterns
are now more variable and much less predictable. The community describes its own history
with reference to "good" and "bad" rainfall years, which are
integrally linked to harvest periods and their own food intake. Crops which
they once grew are no longer farmed and they are forced to purchase
vegetables from distant markets, when security and safe passage allow.
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The widespread conflict in Darfur continues to threaten and marginalize this
community and prevents them from effectively managing scarce and
vulnerable natural resources. However, it is evident that the violence
and hostility have increased the community’s willingness to engage in environmental
management practices, in order to safeguard their own future.
The people of Sofelaween recognise that the future is uncertain. This is one
facet of the poverty in which they live. Yet they also recognise that their
lives are affected by a number of complex issues. These include conflict and
hostility, the introduction of inappropriate land management policies, recurring
drought, and increased population growth. Combined, these factors have
exacerbated the demand for scarce natural resources.
In many respects, climate change and hardship are not new for the people of Sofelaween. The causes of their plight are numerous and complex. However, the
community explains unequivocally that peace in Darfur is the first step to
addressing these integrally linked issues.
This story was provided by Oxfam.
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