Adaptation to the impact of climate change and variability

Donor: IDRC

Duration:2010-2014

Introduction. Significant increases in climate variability and extreme weather events in Uganda have undermined food and health security of communities in the cattle corridor. Further, the natures, pattern of variability and impacts on community livelihood resilience and adaptation capacity have not been understood.

Aim and Objectives. The aim is to understand climate change and variability and its impacts on communities in the cattle corridor of Uganda. Specific objectives are to (1) characterize the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods with regards to the effects of climate variability on food security and health of the rural communities in the ‘cattle corridor’ (2) determine the past and current trends of climate variability and their impacts on food security and health of communities; and (3) strengthen community-based livelihoods resilience and adaptation capacities.

This study used climate variability as a proxy for climate change analysis and applied appropriate knowledge acquisition progression process; and eco health-based participatory action research to investigate the linkages between food, health security and climate variability and to define and defuse external systemic pressures on livelihood systems. System analysis tools were used to define the multiple interactions of the elements that impact health and welfare of communities and; assess the performance of the system and behavioural change. Based on these, a community negotiated open-ended research agenda will be developed into in-depth studies and adaptation measures and implemented with the communities.

Key outputs.

In summary, the studies brought out clearly the impacts of climate change and variability on the communities as outlined in section1 (background) of the proposal. There are variations in major climatic parameters (rainfall, temperature, seasons), weather and seasons have become less predictable in the last 5-10 years; there is increased frequency of heavy rains and floods, droughts and dry spells; shortened rainy seasons; emergence of new and devastating crop, animal and human diseases; and increased unpredictability and unreliability of planting seasons, resulting into frequent crop failures, reduced pasture and water availability resulting into loss of animals and famine (AfrII Annual Report, 2013).

It further revealed that the communities’ capacity to cope (adaptive capacity or resilience) with these consequences is low and inadequate and seriously needs to be enhanced to sustainably improve and sustain livelihoods of the communities.