CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration
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Part of the CGIAR Action Area on Systems Transformation
https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/fragility-conflict-and-migration
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Item Irregular migration, climate change, and gender in Guatemala: local perspectives(Brief, 2025-06-04) Penel, Charlotte; Madurga Lopez, Ignacio; Higuera Florez, Julian; Palou, NoheliaItem Migración irregular, cambio climático y género en Guatemala: Perspectivas locales del caserío de Chisnan, municipio de San Miguel Ixtahuacán, departamento de San Marcos.(Report, 2025-05-25) Madurga Lopez, Ignacio; Penel, Charlotte; Higuera Florez, Julian; Palou, NoheliaEste documento es un resumen de los resultados del estudio Migración irregular, cambio climático y género en Guatemala para el caso de estudio del Caserío de Chisnan en el municipio de San Miguel Ixtahuacán (Guatemala). Este estudio exploró las interrelaciones entre la migración irregular y los impactos del cambio climático desde una perspectiva de género en Chisnan mediante la evidencia basada en el conocimiento y las experiencias locales. El objetivo principal del estudio ha sido identificar los principales factores impulsores y causas raíz de la migración irregular de distintos grupos poblacionales, incluyendo a mujeres, niños, niñas, personas con discapacidad y pueblos indígenas, y comprender en detalle cómo estos se ven afectados por el cambio climático. Además, se buscó identificar soluciones locales para la construcción de resiliencia y la cohesión social que apoyen el abordaje de las principales causas de la migración irregular identificadas dentro de Chisnan.Item Migración irregular, cambio climático y género en Guatemala: Perspectivas locales(Infographic, 2025-05-31) Penel, Charlotte; Madurga Lopez, Ignacio; Higuera Florez, Julian; Palou, NoheliaItem Strategies for building resilient pastoral and agropastoral systems in Africa(Conference Paper, 2025-06) Whitbread, Anthony M.; Ba, Baba; Banerjee, Rupsha R.; Dhulipala, Ram; Flintan, Fiona E.; Houessionon, Prosper; Joseph, E.; Olesikilal, Birikaa; Paliwal, Ambica; Sarr, A.; Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia; Sircely, Jason; Worou, O.N.; Wane, AbdrahmaneItem Migración iregular, cambio climático y género en Guatemala: Reporte Completo(Report, 2025-05-16) Penel, Charlotte; Madurga Lopez, Ignacio; Higuera Florez, Julian; Palou, NoheliaEl presente estudio exploró las interrelaciones entre la migración irregular y los impactos del cambio climático desde una perspectiva de género en Guatemala mediante la evidencia basada en el conocimiento y las experiencias locales. Esta investigación fue motivada por la notable ausencia de un estudio comprehensivo enfocado en Guatemala que integre un enfoque interseccional de género para mirar a la migración relacionada con el cambio climático. El objetivo principal del estudio ha sido identificar los principales factores impulsores y causas raíz de la migración irregular en Guatemala de distintos grupos poblacionales, incluyendo a mujeres, niños, niñas, personas con discapacidad y pueblos indígenas, y comprender en detalle cómo estos se ven afectados por el cambio climático. Además, se buscó identificar soluciones locales para la construcción de resiliencia y la cohesión social que apoyen el abordaje de las principales causas de la migración irregular identificadas dentro de las comunidades afectadas.Item Intersections of climate, security and human mobility in the community of Cedeño, Marcovia, department of Choluteca, Honduras(Report, 2025-05-14) Palou-Zuniga, Nohelia; Higuera-Florez, JulianRecent research has determined the importance of analyzing the relationship between climate variability and the dynamics of insecurity, violence and human mobility in Honduras and other countries in the region. Most of these efforts tend to focus on data and studies that demonstrate the correlations between these variables at the regional or national level in order to inform programs and strategies for climate change, citizen security, migration, displacement, natural resource management, food security, among others. However, this study aims to make a local level analysis of these interrelationships to capture the climatic, environmental, social, economic and cultural specificities of a single community: Cedeño, municipality of Marcovia, department of Choluteca. This proposal aims to highlight the importance of understanding local specificities in order to inform as accurately as possible the eventual policies, programs, strategies or interventions designed for the region. Using qualitative methodologies with an ethnographic and participatory approach, this report identifies and develops the local causal pathways of the climate security and human mobility nexus in the community of Cedeño, accounting for local experiences and the need to address the problems studied in a systemic and participatory method. Thus, the five causal pathways of climate security and human mobility identified in this community were: 1. Displacements caused by coastal erosion and flooding shape the dynamics of conflict and cooperation around access to basic services and land tenure in safe areas. 2. Some individuals and families in flood zones experience involuntary immobility, exacerbating their vulnerability and associated human security risks. 3. Environmental degradation influenced by economic activities impacts livelihoods, exacerbating human security risks and increasing people's climate vulnerability. 4. Climate impacts and hydrological phenomena that impact the main livelihood force mobility towards neighboring areas with greater marine and coastal resources, increasing the safety risks for fishermen. 5. Human mobility to rural, urban and international destinations generates opportunities to cope with the loss of traditional livelihoods, although it is also associated with perceptions and risks of insecurity. Similarly, this research includes seven collective action proposals from the inhabitants of the village of Cedeño to address the interrelated issues of climate, security and human mobility in the community. It is important to emphasize that just as the causal pathways analysis highlighted the need to recognize and address the problems in a systemic way, these proposals and action plans also aim to implement systemic solutions to the challenges analyzed. As in the identification and development of local causal pathways, the participatory approach was fundamental in the formulation of these proposals, ensuring that the solutions reflect the experiences, needs and priorities of the community's inhabitants.Item Welcoming the newcomers our way(Blog Post, 2025-04-09) Takaindisa, JoyceMainstream perceptions in public, media, and policy discourses predominantly assign the responsibility of integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) to local and national institutions. Much academic attention has tended to focus on the role of state institutions in international migration, side-lining community-centric approaches of integration in internal migration or displacement. Moreover, the integration literature is predominantly Eurocentric, with a strong focus on integration dynamics in Europe and the USA as a ‘crisis.’ Consequently, the bulk of research studies have tended to focus on integration of persons who have crossed borders to seek refuge or asylum in another country, akin to what has been described as the mono-directional conceptual flow sourced in the Global North. Rarely do scholars and policy makers consider the role of traditional integration mechanisms in fostering social cohesion and peace among IDPs and receiving communities.Item From farm to table: Women at the agriculture-nutrition nexus(Presentation, 2025-03-13) Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Kyle, Jordan; Kosec, Katrina; Ragasa, Catherine; Raghunathan, Kalyani; Kumar, Neha; Sawhey, Tinni; Gonzalez, Teresa; Madero, Ana; Mittrick, Caitlin; Myers, Emily; Rapada, Amica; Adida, Claire, L.; Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung; Matanock, Aila M.; Arriola, Leonardo; Adeyanju, Dolapo; Fisher, RachelPresentation titles: Women in the Agriculture-Nutrition Pathways How Can Anticipatory Action Programming Support Women? Improving Women’s Livelihoods and Gender Equality through Women’s and Men’s Leadership and Advocacy Trainings in Rural Nigeria Role of Policy in Agriculture-Nutrition-Empowerment Nexus At a session of the Civil Society Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations Forum during the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) shared evidence and policy insights on women’s role in the agriculture-nutrition pathways in fragile settings. The presentations highlighted recent research on different aspects of how women might become empowered in fragile food systems: (1) through women’s self-help groups in India and health and nutrition; (2) through anticipatory action programming and humanitarian assistance in Nigeria and Nepal; (3) through advocacy trainings in Nigeria; and (4) through voice in the policymaking process for both agriculture and nutrition. Geographic scope: Regional, National Geographic Location: Regions: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia Countries: • Nigeria – field research, leadership training, and policy applications • India – synthesis of impact evaluations, policy assessment tool applied • Nepal – application of gender framework • United States – location of the UN event in New York This reflects both the locations of implementation and impact and the event venue.Item Protecting 90 million refugees on climate crisis frontlines(Case Study, 2025-04-30) Laderach, Peter; Craparo, AlessandroAlliance Bioversity –CIAT researchers—as part of the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM)—provided key evidence for UNHCR’s groundbreaking report on conflict, climate, and displacement. Providing clear evidence that more than 90 million refugees and forcibly displaced people are exposed to climate-related hazards has empowered UNHCR to reinforce its advocacy. The UN agency urges climate negotiators, funders, and policymakers to protect these most vulnerable populations.Item Local solutions for transformative development and sustainable futures(Blog, 2025-04-24) Gadu, Siyaxola; Maviza, Gracsious; Maphosa, MandlenkosiMembers of the CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security Team in Southern Africa attended the 2025 NUST-WFP National Symposium in Zimbabwe, themed “Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Futures.”. The symposium brought together officials from various government ministries, academia, development partners, and civil society organisations.Item Fragility and conflict: Addressing crises and building resilient food systems(Book Chapter, 2025-05-28) Abay, Kibrom A.; Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; Kosec, Katrina; Siddig, KhalidMore than ever before, hunger and malnutrition are concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected areas around the world. This chapter reflects on the evolution of food policy research conducted in these areas over the past 50 years and looks ahead at how policy solutions will need to evolve to address the critical challenges that fragility and conflict present for building resilient food systems. Book link: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174108Item Navigating Nigeria’s food system challenges in the face of inflation and reform(Brief, 2025-04-24) Omamo, Steven Were; Andam, Kwaw S.; Balana, Bedru; Amare, Mulubrhan; Popoola, Olufemi; Nwagboso, ChibuzoMain Messages: 1. Low-income households in both urban and rural areas are hardest hit by rising food prices. Post-reform (fuel subsidies removal and exchange rate liberalization) price shocks and persistent inflation have disproportionately affected poor urban and rural households, forcing them to reduce food consumption and dietary diversity. Malnutrition and food insecurity are on the rise, particularly among children and women-headed households, with sharpest impacts in conflict-affected areas. 2. Small-scale farmers are not benefiting proportionately from price increases. Despite surging food prices, small-scale farmers face escalating input costs, poor market access, and structural in-efficiencies that leave them with marginal gains far below the rate of inflation. 3. Trading networks maintain healthy margins, amplifying systemic inefficiencies. Traders and intermediaries dominate the food supply chain, passing on increased costs to consumers while pre-serving or even increasing their profit margins, highlighting inequities in the distribution of benefits along the value chain. 4. Recent economic reforms and external shocks exacerbate structural weaknesses. Economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate adjustments, have amplified existing challenges in the food system, including high transport costs, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented markets. 5. Policy interventions should protect vulnerable groups and strengthen local food systems. Addressing these disparities requires targeted safety nets for consumers, support for small-scale farmers, and systemic investments to reduce inefficiencies in the value chain while promoting cli-mate-resilient food systems.Item Implications of climate crisis in Southern Africa(Book Chapter, 2025-04-11) Maviza, Gracsious; Nzima, Divane; Gadu, Ernest Siyaxola; Ndlovu, NtobekoThis chapter discusses climate crisis within the framework of climate capitalism. Contrary to the conventional understanding of climate from an anthropocentric perspective, the discussion here emphasises fairness, equity, and inclusivity in crafting solutions that recognise the role of the history of colonialism and imperialism perpetuated by powerful countries and multinational corporations. Chapter concludes that only comprehensive strategies prioritising sustainability and inclusivity, beyond market-driven approaches will help build a more just and resilient future for Africa.Item Herder-related violence, labor allocation, and the gendered response of agricultural households(Journal Article, 2025-09) Bloem, Jeffrey R.; Damon, Amy; Francis, David C.; Mitchell, HarrisonViolent conflict between nomadic herders and settled agricultural communities in Nigeria occurs as both groups clash over the use of land and natural resources, in part, due to a changing climate. We generate theory and evidence to study the labor responses of individuals within agricultural households to herder-related violence and consider a “shadow of violence” mechanism, whereby previous exposure to a violent event alters labor responses to a recent event. Using panel data from 2010 through 2019, we highlight how exposure to violence can lead to differing responses in the planting or harvest seasons and among men or women. In the planting season, among both men and women living in households with no previous exposure to herder-related violence, we find that exposure (i.e., singular exposure) leads to a reduction in household enterprise work, but among households with previous exposure experience, exposure (i.e., repeated exposure) leads to an increase in household enterprise work. Meanwhile, repeated exposure to herder-related violence reduces agricultural work among men only. This leads total hours worked to decline in response to singular exposure and to increase in response to repeated exposure especially among women. In the harvest season, we find that singular exposure increases agricultural work among both men and women, but repeated exposure reduces agricultural work among men only. JEL Codes: E26, E29, I31, Q12Item CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration: Annual Technical Report 2024(Report, 2025-04-15) CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and MigrationItem User-centered water and pasture monitoring and early warning system for conflict management in pastoral areas of Ethiopia(Report, 2025-03) Dejene, Sintayehu W.; Alemayehu, Sintayehu; Tegegne, Getachew; Yodit, Y.; Tesfaye, Lidiya; Terefe, Tadesse; Gebre, LiyunehThe Livestock Water Monitoring and Risk Management System (LWMRMS) Project, implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in collaboration with various Ethiopian institutions and supported by the Gates Foundation, addresses challenges in sustainable pastoral development, climate change-induced risks, and resource-based conflicts. The project developed the ET-Monitoring platform, a web-based digital tool providing real-time water and pasture data in multiple languages. This platform helps pastoralists and stakeholders make informed decisions on livestock movement, reducing competition over resources and minimizing conflict risks. ET-Monitoring promotes sustainable resource use by guiding strategic grazing and watering practices, preventing overgrazing, and ensuring ecosystem health. It also supports data-driven conflict prevention and mediation by empowering local authorities and communities with evidence-based tools. The system contributes to peacebuilding, enhances cooperation, and aids crisis response planning for humanitarian agencies. Expanding ET-Monitoring to other pastoral regions will further strengthen pastoral resilience, reduce climate and resource-induced conflicts, and promote sustainable resource management across Ethiopia.Item Sudan Strategy Support Program (SSSP): Background and research output(Brief, 2025-04-03) International Food Policy Research InstituteThe Sudan Strategy Support Program (SSSP), one of the country programs of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), commenced operations in May 2022 from the premises of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, its official host institution in Sudan. Established with funding from USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, the program has also formed partnerships or received support from a number of prominent organizations, including the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration, the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the World Food Programme, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).Item Effect of adding milk to a micronutrient fortified high-energy biscuit school feeding programme in Yemen: A cluster-randomised controlled trial(Preprint, 2025) Bliznashka, Lilia; Michail, Monica George; Elsabbagh, Dalia; Gelli, Aulo; School Milk InitiativeBackground: Two billion children globally are estimated to live in conflict-affected areas. School feeding programmes (SFPs) are a widely implemented safety net that supports children during and after conflict. We evaluated the effectiveness of providing milk alongside a high energy biscuits (HEBs) SFP in Yemen on children’s and caregivers’ outcomes. Methods: We implemented a two-arm longitudinal cluster-randomised controlled trial from December 2023 to May 2024. 42 schools in Al Mukha district were randomly assigned (1:1) to: control, where children received HEBs (2 packets (100 grams) daily), or milk, where children received HEBs plus a 120 ml carton of ultra-high temperature milk. Children aged 6-18 years were randomly selected for enrolment. The primary outcomes were children’s dietary diversity and milk consumption. Secondary outcomes were children’s cognition, learning, attendance, nutritional status, and health. Tertiary outcomes were child and caregiver mental health, and household food security. We conducted intent-to-treat analysis using linear mixed effects models adjusting for clustering. The trial was registered with ISRCTN (ISRCTN12225603). Findings: 1,299 children were enrolled. After five months, the intervention increased milk consumption, but had no effect on dietary diversity. Children’s cognition [mean difference (MD) 1.00 (95% CI 0.40, 1.61)], literacy [1.14 (0.36, 1.92)], and numeracy [1.06 (0.46, 1.67)] scores improved. Cough symptoms declined: -0.12 (-0.2, -0.03). There was no effect on school attendance or nutritional status. The intervention reduced conduct problems in children [-0.52 (-0.97, -0.08)], severe anxiety in caregivers [-0.03 (-0.06, -0.001)], and household severe food insecurity [-0.09 (-0.17, -0.001)]. Interpretation: Adding a daily milk drink to an HEB SFP in Yemen resulted in numerous benefits for children and their families. Hybrid models to incrementally improve meal quality are feasible, acceptable, and lead to meaningful impacts. More research is needed on medium- and long-term benefits.Item Who talks about climate, peace and security? A social media analysis to identify key actors(Journal Article, 2025-01-29) Tucci, Giulia; Carneiro, Bia; Caroli, Giulia; Pacillo, GraziaUncovering key actors within a policy network provides pathways for engagement, consensus-building, partnership development, and understanding the diffusion of knowledge in a given debate. Given the unprecedented scale of the climate emergency, the emerging field of climate security has rapidly gained centrality in academic and policy fora, as well as in the public debate. Yet, a systematic analysis of the main actors engaged in this space is missing. This study draws from digital methods and network analysis techniques to employ a method for identifying relevant actors, focusing on Twitter (now X) from 2014 to 2022, with the objective of spotting the major actors driving public discussions around climate security. The research also demonstrates how institutions can position themselves within such issue networks through a case study of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), a global research-for-development organization that has recently positioned itself in the climate security community. Results reveal that the climate security debate on social media is predominantly institutional, with research bodies and international organizations as central elements. While CGIAR is a relatively new actor, it is already centrally located in the network, maintaining strong connections with other major players, which places it in a strategic position to enhance its influence and reach. Understanding this discursive landscape is crucial for identifying opportunities for effective engagement, partnership, and positioning in such an increasingly salient field of research and practice.Item Irrigated vegetable production interventions in humanitarian emergencies: Mali country deep dive(Report, 2024-12-30) Singh, Radhika; Minh, Thai Thi; Schmitter, PetraIn the context of Mali, a Sahelian country facing challenges of insecurity, political instability, and climate change, irrigated vegetable production (IVP) interventions have the potential to enhance resilience outcomes and reduce the vulnerabilities of households and communities by increasing incomes and improving nutritional outcomes. The recommendations for IVP interventions presented in this document are informed by an understanding of the complex sociopolitical landscape of Mali and address both challenges and opportunities. For this study, a comprehensive research process was undertaken involving 19 key informant interviews with humanitarian organizations working in the country. These interviews were supplemented with insights from a wide range of secondary sources including journal articles and project reports. A rigorous approach was adopted to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings and recommendations. The key recommendations presented here have been carefully crafted to improve the design and implementation of IVP interventions undertaken by humanitarian organizations in emergency contexts in Mali. These recommendations align with the SEADS (Standards for Supporting Crop-related Livelihoods in Emergencies) minimum standards and are intended to complement the SEADS guidance on tools, equipment, and other non-seed inputs as well as impact monitoring and evaluation, thus providing an assurance of quality and relevance. First, it is important to ensure that the design, planning, and implementation of IVP interventions are contextually relevant while being focused on the unique needs of vulnerable communities. Interventions should be designed to address land access issues, especially for women and internally displaced persons. Security levels (safety risks, political instability, and conflict) should be considered when choosing water-lifting technologies, and interventions must be informed by a gender-sensitive approach. Second, mobilizing resources and investments is crucial to complement funding shortages for IVP interventions. This can involve measures like promoting space-efficient vertical gardening, supporting domestic vegetable production to procure less expensive and more suitable seeds for local conditions, and strengthening IVP value chains by linking farmers with local seed suppliers. Third, strengthening organizational capacity for resilience and long-term learning is recommended to enhance the delivery of impactful emergency assistance. This includes adopting a systems approach that considers the socioeconomic and environmental context of the intended intervention and sharing findings among humanitarian actors to foster a learning culture. Finally, improving data and knowledge management is advised for impactful IVP interventions. This could involve housing all groundwater data within an NGO, promoting the ongoing mapping of suitable irrigation technologies, and ensuring that data is freely accessible to all organizations involved in agricultural interventions. These recommendations offer a roadmap for humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers who aim to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of IVP interventions in emergency contexts within Mali. They provide a framework for engaging with existing policies and governance structures and contribute to creating an enabling environment for effective interventions.