NATURE IN WAR Biodiversity conservation during conflicts Esther Blom Netherlands Working Group on Ecology and Development

Aims of the presentation  To give an overview of the impact of armed conflicts on biodiversity  Focus on the role of environmental NGOs  Special recommendations on how to support the NGOs in times of conflicts  Where possible with concrete examples from the field

Links between biodiversity and conflicts  Environmental degradation leading to conflicts  Conflicts over natural resources  (Positive) and negative impact of armed conflicts on nature / biodiversity

Positive impacts  No-go areas  Isolation policies  Lower population levels

Negative impacts  War economies  Habitat destruction and pollution  Stop on conservation activities  Reduction of funding species extinctionspecies extinction productive habitats destroyedproductive habitats destroyed decrease in agrobiodiversitydecrease in agrobiodiversity

The value of ENGOs in times of conflicts  Remain in the conflict zone  Neutral subject & positions  Watchdog Local NGOs  Capable of working with little means  Not only in hotspots, also in other areas  Developed according to local traditions

Recommendations For governments and donors  Do not stop funding when conflicts breaks out, but change strategy  Not only humanitarian aid  Involve ENGOs in humanitarian work and rehabilitation  Critically address own role in conflicts  Also establish development cooperation in less stable areas

Recommendations (cont.) Recommendations (cont.) For the NGOs  Diversify funding sources  Be flexible  Find partnerships (all parties, cross- boundary etc)  Stay neutral  Do not start when conflict has started  Invest in education and support for nature conservation, training programmes, local staff