HAWP
Armed Conflict and Biodiversity
Protecting Wildlife in Crisis Zones
Many of the regions where HAWP operates are affected by armed conflicts, which have devastating effects on both human and wildlife populations. Civil unrest, political instability, and cross-border conflicts often lead to the destruction of habitats, increased poaching, and the displacement of both people and animals.
How Conflict Affects Biodiversity
In war-torn areas, poaching often increases as armed groups exploit wildlife for funding or as communities turn to hunting for survival.
Conflict can lead to the degradation of forests and protected areas due to the movement of displaced people, unregulated land use, and infrastructure destruction.
During times of war, conservation programs and law enforcement efforts weaken, making it easier for illegal activities such as logging and trafficking to flourish.
Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Strategies
HAWP takes a conflict-sensitive approach to conservation, ensuring that efforts to protect biodiversity align with peace-building initiatives and the realities of communities affected by war. Our strategies include:
Working with neighboring countries to maintain conservation efforts even in unstable regions, ensuring that wildlife corridors remain protected.
Rehabilitating degraded lands, reintroducing native species, and rebuilding conservation infrastructure in areas recovering from conflict.
Providing alternative income opportunities that reduce dependence on poaching, illegal logging, or conflict-driven economies.
Partnering with community leaders to mediate disputes over natural resources and promote conservation as a pathway to stability.
Conservation in conflict zones requires long-term resilience-building efforts.
HAWP is committed to integrating wildlife protection with humanitarian responses, ensuring that both people and ecosystems can recover from the effects of war.
We create a foundation for peace, prosperity, and biodiversity conservation in the Horn of Africa by fostering stability, securing livelihoods, and restoring degraded environments.