Governor Nathif Jama Adam Calls for Sustainable Refugee Solutions at IGAD Conference

By John Kariuki

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama Adam has called for urgent, sustainable, and practical solutions to address the environmental and social challenges caused by the prolonged hosting of refugees in Dadaab.

Speaking during the IGAD High Level Regional Conference on Improving Livelihoods for Refugees and Host Communities, held from October 20 to 23 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Governor Nathif delivered an impactful presentation highlighting the grim realities faced by both refugees and host communities in northern Kenya.

The Governor painted a stark picture of the ecological degradation in Dadaab, which has hosted refugees for more than three decades. He noted that widespread deforestation driven by the cutting of indigenous trees for firewood, the killing of wildlife, particularly giraffes, for meat, and the depletion of groundwater resources through uncontrolled borehole drilling have severely strained the local environment.

Governor Nathif condemned the continued inaction of international organizations mandated to protect and support refugees, accusing them of allowing these destructive practices to persist under their direct watch. He underscored that the situation has reached an intolerable point and urged for immediate interventions to avert further damage.

Among his proposed measures, the Governor called for the introduction of alternative cooking systems to reduce reliance on firewood, which would help curb environmental degradation and promote sustainability. He emphasized that without such actions, the ecological and social fabric of Dadaab and its surroundings would continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate.

Governor Nathif further pointed out that the current global funding landscape demands a rethink of the refugee management model. He argued that the protracted encampment of refugees is no longer viable and that the focus must now shift toward empowering refugees to become self reliant through sustainable livelihoods.

In his address, he expressed strong support for Kenya’s Shirika Plan, which seeks to offer forward looking and inclusive solutions that benefit both refugees and host communities. The Governor noted that such initiatives represent a pragmatic pathway toward shared prosperity, stability, and environmental restoration in regions affected by displacement.

The IGAD conference brought together regional leaders, policymakers, and development partners to deliberate on long term strategies for improving the well being of refugees and host populations across the Horn of Africa.