At the Palabek resettlement camp in Uganda, home to more than 58,000 refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Salesians of Don Bosco Ireland run an environmental improvement project that is training more than 3,000 young people in sustainable food production, tree planting and environmental management. In the crowded camp, human activities such as deforestation, burning charcoal, and the use of poor-quality fertilisers are causing air, soil and water pollution and leading to destruction of the surrounding habitat. Through education on climate-friendly farming and environmental practices, and teaching about the negative effects of unchecked human activities, the project aims to change mindsets and behaviours. Young people in the camp are being trained in livelihoods activities that are resilient in the face of climate change and that can ensure sustainable incomes for the future. The project is also working with young people to plant over 10,000 trees in the area.

Photo: Salesians of Don Bosco Ireland