The Saameynta Joint Programme is a project aimed at achieving durable solutions for internally displaced people in Somalia, which currently hosts 3.8 million IDPs. Land governance is at the center of this effort, understanding that tenure security is a fundamental piece of the puzzle to enable durable solutions.
As part of a scoping study titled Land Governance for Climate Resilience: A review and case studies from LAND-at-scale projects headed by Richard Sliuzas, Emeritus Professor, University of Twente, IOM explored how climate plays a role in the UN-led Saameynta Joint Programme in Somalia. In this context, climate change is increasingly recognized as a multiplier of insecurity and fragility, where climate-related sudden and slow-onset disasters are driving people to leave their land and migrate. While migrating allows people to find alternative livelihoods and enhance their climate resilience, it can also be associated with instances of maladaptation to climate change. As such, this case highlights durable solutions in climate-driven urban sprawl in Baidoa.
What I learned about land rights from people who don't work in land rights
The USAID-funded Land for Prosperity Activity is developing capacity in land administration across all levels of government to strengthen land rights in underfunded municipalities across Colombia.
This article focuses on the critical importance of secure land tenure for both local and foreign investment, particularly in the Sub-Saharan African region, with Ghana as a case study. It emphasizes the positive impact of land tenure security on credit use, collateral value, efficient land transfer, reduced disputes, and increased productivity. Despite various challenges in Ghana's land sector, recent Supreme Court rulings on a generational land dispute involving the Numo Nmashie Family have far-reaching implications for land tenure security and investment in the country. The legal saga dates back to 1966 when the government acquired a significant land parcel, leading to a disputed Court of Appeal decision in 1982. The recent Supreme Court ruling overturned this decision, highlighting fraudulent information and directing the Lands Commission to rectify registrations. The consequences of this ruling are multifaceted and include tenure insecurity, tenancy transitions, legal obligations, the possibility of evictions or negotiations, financial obligations, investment caution, economic impact, legal challenges, disputes, community and social impact, and the potential need for government intervention and regulation. With emphasis on wide-ranging implications for existing tenants, residents, businesses, and the broader socio-economic landscape, the article underscores the need for careful consideration of legal and economic aspects in navigating the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling.
Gender and land champion Rosa shares her pride in being able to help her pastoralist community resolve difficult land disputes.
Chad is at the verge of an emerging land tenure crisis. As observed in many countries in Africa, formal and customary tenure systems overlap. Customary tenure systems, that generally prevail in rural areas, differ from region to region, with each its own needs and practices. Land conflicts are abundant, caused by degradation and transformation of land surfaces caused by climate change, as well as land investments by domestic investors with disputed legitimacy. Women, particularly, struggle in practice to obtain the same rights to land as men, even though country’s constitution enshrines gender equality.
Traditional Maasai leader Milya shares how confident he has become in defending women's land rights after training as a gender and land champion.
Tuya describes her decision to take action on GBV in her Mongolian herding community after becoming a gender and land champion.
Odgerel describes the changes he is making to tackle land degradation in his herding community since becoming a gender and land champion.
P. Purevdolgor describes the impact of becoming a gender and land champion in her Mongolian herding community.
Report from session during KPSRL annual conference exploring how land registration might impact relations between local governments and the populations they are expected to serve.