Virtuous Circle

Prevention, mitigation and, in some cases, rehabilitation have a major role to play in breaking the seemingly unending cycle of degradation and abandonment. In all cases, corrective action will be a second best approach. The key to lasting solutions to both displacement and environmental degradation must include the promotion of sound economic and environmental policies. Organizations providing assistance to refugees and the displaced must communicate effectively with economic development and environmental agencies as well as with one another.

Effective interventions by refugee assistance and migration organizations can also serve as a major learning opportunity for both the displaced and local populations. This learning can have far-reaching and multiplier effects and, to some extent, it can replace the work of separate environmental programmes.