Through Their Lens: Climate Change, Human Trafficking, and Community-Driven Documentation in Bidibidi Refugee Camp, the Karamoja, and Kampala

Angela Robinson, (United States)

At the intersection of two urgent global crises lies an overlooked reality: climate change is creating new vulnerabilities to human trafficking and exploitation through displacement, resource scarcity, and economic instability. Our survivor-centered research places cameras in the hands of survivors of human trafficking and vulnerable community members to document this nexus in three climate-affected regions of Uganda: Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, the Karamoja region, and Kampala. Our participatory approach generates multiple outcomes critical to environmental peacebuilding: visual advocacy tools through community photo exhibitions, evidence-based recommendations for climate-responsive anti-trafficking programs, and a replicable model that empowers affected communities with research and documentation skills. The presentation will showcase artwork and findings while demonstrating how visual storytelling can bridge the gap between climate adaptation and human security initiatives. As climate disasters accelerate and trafficking networks adapt, this work offers timely insights for developing integrated approaches to environmental and human security challenges. Co-authors: Angela R. Robinson; University of California, Irvine; United States; angelarr@uci.edu Marta Furlan; Free the Slaves; Italy; marta.furlan@freetheslaves.net Masitula Namugenyi; EverFree; Uganda; masitula@willowintl.org Kelsey Morgan; EverFree; United States; kelsey@everfree.org Richard A. Matthew; University of California, Irvine; United States; rmatthew@uci.edu Presenters: Angela Robinson and Marta Furlan