Stories

by Sarah Nalumansi, stationed in Kampala office

As regards to SDG 13, I am currently working on a project that is focused on assessing the climate risk and vulnerability for adaptation at district level. This is a rare study as in most cases climate risk and vulnerability assessments are at national level and therefore the information collected, and adaptation measures developed are usually not clearly understood by the subnational level making it hard for them to be incorporated into development plans. This has made it necessary to conduct assessments at subnational level and actively involve district officials and other lower local government officials and stakeholders so that the adaptation measures that will be developed will have input of the subnational stakeholders and therefore easing their adoption into development plans and other implementation schedules of stakeholders.

My role on the assignment is to take part in stakeholder identification and engagement with the stakeholders, to and to schedule and take part in interviews with stakeholders. Together with my colleague David, we are acting as the link between the local stakeholders and the lead consultant for the project (GlobalCAD). I'm also developing a data collection sheet and selection of indicators to monitor for collect data for all 146 districts in Uganda. 

Some results so far

Site specific adaptation measures to various impacts of climate change will be developed so that communities can be made more resilient to climate change impacts. Evidence in terms of frequency of climate change related hazards like flooding, drought and the damages caused will be compiled so that districts make informed decisions on what interventions are priority to the various areas and inclusion of climate change adaptation interventions into districts development plans and budgets will be fostered.

Under GFF project we also work on reforestation and landscape restoration through tree growing is an aspect that is largely emphasized, for which I am taking part. This is contributing directly to taking urgent action against climate change and its impacts because impacts like flooding will be minimized in the long run through the growing of trees. Through this project, more climate resilient methods of growing crops are emphasized like agroforestry which will protect the environment against climate impacts and also ensure food security hence increasing adaptation of communities to hunger induced by climate change.