Conflict management and food security in the Horn

CELEP member Mercy Corps conducted research in Uganda and the Mandera Triangle to explore how best to build resilience in conflict contexts in Eastern Africa. It examined how conflict management programmes can strengthen resilience to climate and economic shocks. The research tested the efficacy of two peacebuilding approaches: i) improving social cohesion through opportunities for groups in conflict to interact and build trust; and ii) strengthening the enabling institutional environment through helping informal and informal leaders work together to prevent conflict and resolve disputes.

Key findings and recommendations were published in the report “Pathways from peace to resilience: evidence from the Greater Horn of Africa on the links between conflict management and resilience to food security shocks” (2015). It was found that: i) while household food security is gravely affected by economic and climate-related shocks, the effects of these shocks can be mitigated through effective conflict management efforts; and ii) aid actors seeking to build resilience in fragile and insecure contexts should invest in interventions that strengthen conflict management capacities within local institutions.

A 4-page summary of the report can be found here: https://www.mercycorps.org/sites/default/files/pathways_from_peace-full_report.pdf

The full report (26pp) can be found here: https://www.mercycorps.org/sites/default/files/pathways_evaluation_summary-brief.pdf

Posted on 20 November 2015 in Pastoralism & Climate Change, Pastoralism & Peacebuilding, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition