Tree-based intervention typologies and improvements in refugee displacement regions
| dc.contributor.author | Juster, Sarah H. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Munsell, John F. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Njenga, Mary | |
| dc.contributor.author | Okia, Clement A. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-17T06:50:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-17T06:50:38Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-11-10 | |
| dc.description | This paper explores the impact of tree-based interventions in refugee displacement areas, highlighting how tree planting and management not only protect the environment but also enhance livelihoods and foster community resilience. These activities directly advance several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By weaving together conservation, climate resilience, income generation, and inclusive participation, the research underscores the interconnected benefits of these interventions. Furthermore, the study aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV by supporting priorities such as sustainable economic growth, environmental restoration, climate resilience, and improved livelihoods—particularly in vulnerable and refugee-hosting communities where natural resources are under significant pressure. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Concern about deforestation in contexts of refugee displacement is substantial. Tree-based interventions (TBIs) are efforts to plant trees, conserve trees, and/or facilitate tree regrowth. TBIs are implemented by non-governmental organizations in refugee displacement contexts to address landscape-level deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss while providing livelihood opportunities to participants. Although humanitarian stakeholders recommend TBIs in refugee-hosting regions, the diversity of TBI models and associated strengths and weaknesses are not well understood. This research focuses on five TBIs implemented in a northwest Uganda refugee settlement that include large-acre woodlot planting, household-level planting of trees yielding short-term products, and conservation site establishment to protect indigenous tree species. Interviews and focus-group discussions with TBI staff revealed that each intervention makes trade-offs in navigating five key challenges associated with TBI implementation in a refugee context: Obtaining access to land, providing short-term livelihood benefits to participants, gaining equitable involvement by gender, achieving environmental conservation goals, and successfully engaging community members. Significant differences were found between the strategies of TBIs implemented at home sites when compared to TBIs implemented at community sites. While TBIs implemented at home sites are intended to provide participants long-term access to tree products with clear user rights and enable women to grow trees alongside ongoing domestic activities, TBIs implemented at community sites can achieve large-scale environmental goals and provide cash-based employment opportunities to participants. An applied integrated landscape approach is recommended to maximize inter-program collaboration and collective benefits across programs, while realizing sustainable TBI impacts within complex socioecological refugee displacement contexts. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | The Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, and the Graduate Research Development Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Juster, S. H., Munsell, J. F., Njenga, M., & Okia, C. A. (2025). Tree-based intervention typologies and improvements in refugee displacement regions. International Journal of Population Studies, 12(1), 15-31. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2424-8606 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/914 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | AccScience Publishing | |
| dc.subject | Tree-based interventions | |
| dc.subject | Agroforestry | |
| dc.subject | Refugees | |
| dc.subject | Displacement | |
| dc.subject | Humanitarian integrated landscape approach | |
| dc.title | Tree-based intervention typologies and improvements in refugee displacement regions | |
| dc.type | Article |