As of now there are a lot change. Particularly the rain pattern - it has changed completely. Because right now there is no rain. This is supposed to be the time for planting. But you can’t plant now because you would fear it will get burnt. Rain will come around April here, and if you plant something around May and June you will get a lot of sunshine which will burn the  crops. And then reaching September to November there will be a lot of rain. You think you want to  use the second season, but then in November you can get a lot of sun which will burn everything  again. So planning farming here has become very difficult here because of those changes.

Mutto Dinya


Climate Change

Significant changes in seasonal weather patterns, particularly rainfall were raised by all eight participants during the workshops. Emphasis was placed on how changes in rainfall patterns have caused significant reductions in harvests, and adversely impacted household incomes. Water scarcity, alternative income generating activities used when crops fail, and support from foreign NGOs were all raised to illustrate the ongoing consequences of climate change and response of the community. 


We have been facing hardship because of the poor yield. Money is difficult to get. We used to get money from the food crops and some of the cash crops, but now the yield is very poor, it is very hard for money. At the sametime food is reduced.

Grace Candiru

This lady is preparing sorghum before the rains arrive which can ruin it if it is left out... in the past, rain used to start from March. Then you would use that first rain for preparing land, and then April would be for you to plant. It will continue like this and you would find the growth of the plant would be very good. At the end of it you get very good yield. But now - you see, there is no rain (in March). There is very little rain to prepare and plant the land © Rose Akandru, February 2018


At the time I was growing up the yield used to be very good. If you prepare a very small piece of  land the yield would be good. But as of now things have gone all down. Yields are not very good and there are a lot of problems.

Josephine Dawru


I found this water tanker in a place called Mbipi. It is where they check water. The one in the green apron is testing the water. These jerry cans are for women who wait for the tanker © Wani Joseph, March 2018

This man was preparing his fields. He is a South Sudanese refugee. He is preparing when it is dry so the land is ready when it rains © Rose Akandru, February 2018


In fact that time it was terrible (referencing a drought in 2009/2010). If God was not there we would have all died. But the best thing was the UN was still helping with some food to eat. Otherwise there were certain people who really suffered. That some children died at this time, and the report reached the Red Cross and they came to assist.

Rosek Akandru


This is a market where refugees sell food... During the dry season natives will buy refugee rations. People also sell food to get alternative food into their diets © Mutto Dinya, February 2018

This water tank is the one that carries water to the refugee settlements. It helps them a lot to solve water problems ©Jeska Akru, February 2018

These are ladies who survive on selling this grass. Everyday they carry this grass to the refugee camp. They sometimes exchange for food or cash. They use this to feed their families ©Jeska Akru, February 2018


The problem that has been due to poor yield is we have been using the food from every season to plan for the forthcoming season. Now if the food that we have grown, if it does not yield, to plan for the next season becomes very difficult. You do not have enough money or resources for bigger plans for the next season. To buy seeds, to open more land - this becomes a problem. Food at home also becomes a problem. Because as last year if you have a big yield, and the next year  you have a very small yield your plans change. That means you have very little food. As a result food shortage comes. During this time sending to children to school becomes another problem.Because children in school needs some requirements that you cannot afford.

Jeska Akru


I am picking cotton. I have 2.5 acres of cotton. I only got 50kg last season (2017/2018). I used chemicals and weeded regularly... but there has been a reduction in rainfall. And we experienced very heavy drought. Last year from December (2016) to April (2017) there was no rain. In June it started raining. Reaching up to November. Then December to now (March 2018) no rain © Dennis Adrabo (self portrait), February 2018

*Note - Dennis and other participants stated that in the past an acre of cotton typically yielded up to 400kg of cotton. As many refugees rent land to grow cash crops, they can struggle to break even if yields are reduced resulting in debt and or the sale of assets such as chickens, goats and cattle.


Explore more stories: Click on the link to learn about deforestation in Rhino Camp 

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