Implications of refugee settlements on the natural environment: Lebanon and Cameroon

Samantha Brangeon

In refugee contexts, resource management tends to be dominated by a short-term outlook to

the detriment of long-term environmental impacts. The priority given to addressing the lifesaving needs of refugee populations often means that additional strain is put on ecosystems and

natural resources. Nevertheless, a deteriorated environment can have a significant impact on the

capacity of both host and refugee communities to resist, adapt and recover from prolonged

stresses and shocks.

For more than 10 years, Groupe URD has been working on documenting the links between

environmental degradation and refugee camp management.

Given the complexity of crises, refugee settlements often have a long life-span (17 years on average according to UNHCR) which can lead to irreversible damage to the environment through, for example, the unsustainable use of forestry or water resources or the physical effects of long-term

settlements on the quality of the soil.

For this research, Groupe URD analyzed two refugee settings (Northern Cameroon and

Lebanon) with the aim of contributing to existing evidence-based documentation and increasing

awareness in the sector about the need for environmental mainstreaming. The two countries

included in the research have been hosting refugees for about 4 – 6 years. This meant that the

research team was able to assess environmental impacts that are already evident and make

realistic recommendations for ways to reverse these trends before the damage becomes

irreversible.

Made possible by the generous
support of the Global Disaster
Preparedness Center and
Response 2 Resilience