Partner & Institutional Framework
This assignment was implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in close coordination with IGAD and regional stakeholders, including climate, peace, and security actors across the Horn of Africa.
Project Overview
IRID undertook a regional analytical study examining the complex relationships between climate variability and change, food security, and violent conflict in Eastern Africa, with a particular focus on IGAD conflict hotspots. The study responded to growing evidence that extreme climatic events, such as rainfall variability and rising temperatures, were exacerbating food insecurity, displacement, and conflict dynamics across the region.
The assignment supported UNEP’s mandate on environment, resilience, and security and generated actionable evidence to inform climate-sensitive peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and policy formulation at regional, national, and sub-national levels.
IRID’s Role and Key Responsibilities
Under this assignment, IRID was responsible for:
- Conducting a comprehensive desk review of climate, conflict, food security, and human security data, policies, and existing research across the IGAD region.
- Analyzing inter-state and intra-state conflict trends in relation to climate variability indicators such as rainfall and temperature.
- Examining causal linkages between climate shocks, food insecurity, and violent conflict, including differentiated impacts on women and men.
- Undertaking consultations with key institutions and experts, including climate, peace, and security stakeholders.
- Assessing how conflict affected resilience-building efforts and how climate risks interacted with peacebuilding processes.
- Developing evidence-based policy recommendations to support climate-resilient peace and security interventions in Eastern Africa.
Key Outputs
- An analytical assessment of the nexus between climate variability, food security, and conflict.
- A regional study demonstrating how climate extremes exacerbated conflict and food insecurity in IGAD hotspots.
- A draft and validated baseline study report, incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
- Policy-relevant recommendations for integrating climate risk considerations into peace and security strategies.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved understanding among policymakers and regional institutions of climate–conflict–food security linkages.
- A stronger evidence base to inform climate-proofed peacebuilding and security interventions.
- Enhanced capacity of regional stakeholders to integrate climate risk and adaptation considerations into conflict prevention and peace processes.
Long-Term Impact
The study contributed to climate-resilient peace and security in Eastern Africa by supporting informed decision-making, strengthening early warning and response systems, and ensuring that peace agreements and security strategies accounted for climate-related risks, vulnerabilities, and adaptation needs.