projects
Nature-based solutions for malaria prevention and environmental health
Completed
Challenge
Palorinya refugee settlement is located in seasonal floodplains that become a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the rainy season – a situation aggravated by climate change and deforestation. Efforts to respond to the increased malaria risk have had limited success.
Solution
UNHCR will test the use of products derived from locally available resources, such as lemongrass and neem trees, as a natural mosquito repellent to boost malaria prevention efforts.
Impact
Improved malaria prevention, environmental restoration and revegetation from planting of lemongrass and neem trees to reduce the impact of rains and flooding, livelihoods opportunities related to tree-care and repellent production. Nearly 35,000 households are expected to benefit from the initiative.
Project impact
308
refugees trained in seedling care & propagation, supporting 11,000 engaged in planting
450k
(approx.) seedlings planted, with 85% survivability recorded
200
refugees trained on making mosquito repellent products from neem trees & lemongrass
Other information
Trained refugees engaged their peers creating a community-wide effort for maintaining the revegetated areas.
Within a short time, individuals reported improvements to environmental health and the difference that a reduction in degraded areas made for them.
With the wide interest in insect-repellent product production, local partners were engaged to explore potential growth in this market.