Displaying items by tag: Environment

For rural populations in developing countries, the natural environment is intimately linked to economic welfare. Populations are dependent on their surroundings for water, food, shelter and medicine. Refugee influxes intensify normal ‘green’ environmental problems - those associated with over-exploitation of rural natural resources due to poverty, rising populations, weak property rights and inappropriate management. Refugee impact on the environment Refugee settlements often occur in environmentally sensitive areas. In Africa, refugees have therefore usually been settled in semi-arid, agriculturally marginal areas, or (as in the case of the Rwandese in Zaire) near national parks or forest reserves. Refugee camps tend to…