Climate change-induced poverty and health issues 

Rufunsa has been hit hard by climate change. In 2024 severe droughts led to mass deforestation, dried up streams, and the death of animal stock. Richard Mabenga, Rufunsa’s district commissioner, told us the grim details. “The district of Rufunsa has seen a rising number of children and adults suffering from malnutrition due to inadequate food supplies. The situation is further complicated by a high incidence of waterborne diseases, including dysentery, bilharzia, diarrhea, and malaria, alongside new cases of HIV. We are also witnessing extreme heat-related illnesses such as heat strokes, exhaustion, and severe dehydration,” he said.  

The economic hardship and food insecurity that came as a result of environmental changes forced families and youth to find alternative means of survival. Since the drought there has been an increase in early marriages and teenage pregnancies under 14 years. Many young girls are dropping out of school, while HIV infection rates among the youth are rising. Ever more young people have also turned to informal and often dangerous work, including illegal mining and sex work. 

Truck stops: an intersection of exploitation 

There aren’t many designated parking areas, so trucks park dangerously close to schools, markets, and residential areas, often causing road accidents, traffic congestion, and fires. Young people who provide services to the drivers to earn money, especially girls, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. 

Some sell food at the truck stops, but others engage in transactional sex, risking further exploitation, HIV, and unwanted pregnancies. According to Mabenga, this issue is difficult to address, as “some community members, including young mothers, oppose supervising these truck stops because they have become a source of income through local food sales or sex work.” 

First steps towards a safer future 

The most important solution for Mabenga is to move the trucks to a safer location. “One of the key interventions has been securing a piece of land for a designated truck stop, about two kilometers away from schools and market areas. It will have paved parking, sanitation facilities, accommodation, and food services, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for both truck drivers and local residents,” says Mabenga. 

The district is also involving truck drivers in discussions to discourage inappropriate behavior with local youth. “It is crucial for the safety of the youth that we prevent truck drivers’ contact with children in the community. This is an important protection and safeguarding measure,” Mabenga stresses. 

Tackling the root of the problem 

While the Rufunsa district authorities address the social implications of climate change, Hivos’ Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) program is helping tackle the root causes of exploitation and climate vulnerability. VCA supports the Integrated Climate Action for Improved Health (ICAIH) project and works closely with local leaders to implement climate resilience strategies while improving the social welfare of the community. 

A key element of these efforts is promoting reforestation and sustainable livelihoods. Deforestation caused by illegal charcoal production has greatly exacerbated drought conditions in Rufunsa. As part of VCA’s climate strategy, tree nurseries are being established, and community members are being encouraged to plant trees. For every tree cut down, five seedlings will be distributed to stimulate long-term environmental recovery. 

Empowering vulnerable communities 

VCA is also focused on empowering marginalized groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities. The program helps them take on leadership roles and engage in alternative livelihoods that build climate resilience. Six empowerment groups of 25 people have been created to promote activities like sustainable farming, village banking, and general trading. These initiatives aim to reduce economic dependence on charcoal production and informal roadside businesses, offering new pathways for financial security. 

But Mabenga acknowledges the ongoing challenges facing the district. “The transport infrastructure, road networks, and lack of social amenities continue to hinder progress. While the truck stop relocation project is critical for protecting our youth and improving public health, we need more financial and infrastructural support to make this vision a reality,” he says. 

A hopeful path forward 

The work being done by local leaders, community members, ICAIH, and VCA is paving the way toward a safer, more sustainable future. A future in which the youth of Rufunsa are no longer trapped in cycles of exploitation and poverty but instead have the tools to thrive in a changing world.