1. Climate Change and Uganda
Presentation by Jenty Kirsch-Wood OCHA’s Policy Development and Studies Branch
OCHA

2. Climate Change and Uganda Setting the stage
Climate change is happening and we are locked into further global warming up to at least 2050 (at least 1 degree)
Uganda is already feeling the consequences of climate change and is at high risk in the future
OCHA

3. Climate Change and Uganda Climate Change – Impacts of humanitarian concern
Increase frequency and intensity of weather-related hazard events (floods, storms, etc)
Increase likelihood of drought and desertification
Significant changes in the morbidity patterns of some diseases
Nine of out every ten disasters are now climate related. These trends are consistent with IPCC projections of climate change impacts
The poor will be disproportionably affected and are more likely to fall back on emergency humanitarian assistance in the face of climate- related disasters.
Between 2000 and 2004, 1/19 people living in the developing world was affected by a climate disaster. The comparable figure for OECD countries was 1 / 1,500 people: a risk differential of 79
OCHA

4. Climate Change and Uganda Potential for humanitarian disasters
Where risk from climate-related hazards coincide with areas of high human vulnerability there is potential for more humanitarian disasters driven by climate change
Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability
Capacity
OCHA

5. Climate Change and Uganda Hazard events and impacts
Main concerns for Uganda in terms of weather related hazard events – historically and projected:
Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains
Rise in temperature
Dry spells / droughts
Potentially resulting in increased:
Number of people affected by waterborne, respiratory as well as vector-borne diseases
Damage and destruction of infrastructure
Water stress / loss of livelihoods / food insecurity (malnutrition)
Recent years’ erratic onset and cessation of rainfall season coupled with increasing frequency of droughts has made Uganda more vulnerable to climate change.
OCHA

6. Climate Change and Uganda Hazard events and impacts - Rains
Uganda is a humanitarian risk hotspot for flooding (blue area)
Projected increase in extreme precipitation: East / North East and in the South West along the lake.
Landslides (highlands) / Flooding (lowlands)
Loss of lives
Destruction and damage of houses, infrastructure and crops
Pollution of sources of drinking water, with potential danger of outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery
OCHA

7. Climate Change and Uganda Hazard events and impacts - Drought
Western, northern and north-eastern districts are already experiencing long droughts – these areas will likely be increasingly exposed to periods of drought.
Double threat in many areas of both drought and floods – significant concern for humanitarian actors
The majority of Uganda's agriculture is subsistence and rain-fed and, therefore, vulnerable to climate change
Heavy rains in periods will not off-set water requirements in dry periods because of higher evaporation and lack of irrigation.
OCHA

8. Climate Change and Uganda Hazard events and impacts - Health
The highlands, which were malaria free, are now invaded by the disease. People living in highlands have not developed immunity for malaria and are therefore more susceptible to it.
In semi-arid areas, tick-borne diseases have become rampant because of higher temperatures and the tsetse fly belt has expanded.
Prolonged dry spells have resulted in outbreak of respiratory diseases
Increased food insecurity will to lead increased rates of malnutrition
Drying out of water resources will cause pollution of water supplies, creating problems especially in urban centres, where there will also be less water for sewerage.
Floods will cause an increase in waterborne diseases, such as cholera
High population and growth rates placing additional stress on health infrastructure
OCHA

9. Climate Change and Uganda Humanitarian risks – Migration / Conflict
The scarcity of water in parts of Uganda has in the past resulted in movements into neighbouring districts in search for pasture and water.
These movements have led to conflict and disruptions in agricultural production.
Climate change induced water scarcity in dry land areas could further exacerbate tensions.
Regional issues / cross border tensions
OCHA

10. Climate Change & Preparedness Next Steps
In the immediate term, climate change will require a redoubling of existing preparedness and risk reduction efforts. (Build on existing structures)
Implementation of the NAPA
Implementation of the HFA
Strengthen data collection and analysis
Factor in the unexpected, make sure that systems are can adapt to changes
Start now!
OCHA

11. Climate Change and Uganda
Thank you!
OCHA