The global theme of this International Mother Earth Day is “investing in our planet” which calls governments, businesses, investors and civil society to join efforts against deforestation and pollution for the greener future for the people and the planet. Refugees, displaced people, and their host communities have an important role in this process.
Surkhandarya region, hosting the largest number of Afghan citizens in Uzbekistan, is affected by deforestation and dust storms which have a significant impact on living conditions. These climate processes cause soil erosion and deteriorate the quality of water and air, which ultimately affects the socio-economic development of the region and the well-being of its residents.
The global climate crisis affects everyone, irrespective of origin and nationality. Joint efforts are essential in combating the negative consequences of the climate change, and in many parts of the world displaced persons are on the frontlines of climate action to support their host communities. This is also the case in Uzbekistan, where both Afghans residing in Surkhandarya region and Uzbek citizens are engaged in afforestation activities aimed at improving their common environment.
As part of the afforestation project, initiated by UNDP and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources of Uzbekistan, 413 Afghan and 362 Uzbek citizens from vulnerable groups participated in cash for work activities to plant thousands of trees in four locations of Surkhandarya region. These activities were combined with training opportunities for participants, improving their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship, environment friendly agriculture practices and land restoration activities.
“It is a very useful project. We are glad to contribute to improve the environmental situation in the country,” said one of Afghan students involved in the project.
The UNDP-UNHCR project on engaging Afghan and Uzbek citizens in tree planting activities is part of the National Afforestation initiative – Yashil Makon (Green Land), launched in November 2021 with the ambition of planting 200 million trees annually. Yashil Makon was added to the 2022-2026 Strategy for Developing the New Uzbekistan to help fulfil the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to mitigate climate change and adapt to climate impacts.
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