Moroto, February 3, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
A new cross-border study has revealed that recurrent drought, resource-based conflict, and weak use of early warning information are significantly increasing vulnerability among pastoralist communities in Kenya and Uganda’s Karamoja cluster, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated resilience-building interventions.
According to the study, communities in Loima, Lokiriama, and North Pokot in Kenya, and the neighbouring sides of Amudat, Moroto, and Napak in Uganda, remain highly exposed to climate stress and conflict-related shocks, with limited capacity to recover.
Conducted by Samuel Hall, the consortium partner, the study was commissioned by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) to provide baseline data and vulnerability analysis to guide implementation of the Karamoja Strong program. It draws on insights from 580 respondents across the six project areas.
The findings were presented and validated during a high-level workshop in Moroto attended by Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, Morotos RDCs , DRC Country Directors Simon Nzioka (Kenya) and Samuele Otim (Uganda), government officials, and community representatives.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Erus said the findings reflect the daily realities facing pastoralist communities across the region.
“The study by Samuel Hall touches exactly on the priorities of local pastoralist communities, particularly the diminishing availability of water and pasture due to the increasing severity of drought. It clearly shows the link between livelihoods and conflict,” he said.
Dr. Erus added that Turkana County is pursuing private sector–led approaches to expand pasture and animal feed production by allocating large tracts of land for fodder cultivation, complementing efforts by development partners including the Karamoja Strong program.
DRC Kenya Country Director Simon Nzioka noted that the baseline findings will play a critical role in shaping the program’s direction.
“We now have a framework that will help us establish working committees to guide resilience-building against drought-induced shocks and stresses. The data clearly shows where we need to begin,” he said.
DRC Uganda Country Director Samuele Otim emphasized that the study’s inclusion of social dimensions such as peacebuilding and early warning systems strengthens its relevance for cross-border planning.
“The data shows that vulnerability cuts across borders and, in many ways, unites the targeted communities.
“These findings give us an opportunity to design peacebuilding approaches that work and to strengthen platforms for cross-border coordination,” he said.
Samuel Hall Research Program Lead Cheruto Lelei highlighted that vulnerability levels differ across locations, signaling the importance of targeted interventions.
“The study shows that resilience capacity is still very low, which calls for direct action to strengthen communities so they can respond effectively when climate- or conflict-related shocks occur,” she said.
The Karamoja Strong program seeks to enhance community resilience by strengthening early warning systems, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and promoting peacebuilding across borders.
As climate pressure intensifies and competition over natural resources grows, participants emphasized that translating research into timely, coordinated action will be critical to safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the Karamoja area which is one of the region’s most climate-sensitive corridors.
