Pastoralism and Conflict

Despite their vital role in global food security and production on lands otherwise unsuitable to agriculture, pastoral communities around the world are in a persistent state of crisis.

Their customary rangelands and migration routes are shrinking due to expanding cultivation and less permeable international borders. Their herds are threatened by drought and disease. The influx of guns has made traditional raids more deadly. In many countries, pastoral communities remain among the most politically and economically marginalized in society, leaving them susceptible to radicalization and recruitment by insurgent groups.

Since 2004, IISD's research has focused on understanding the links between migratory pastoral communities and conflict, and identifying the ways in which violence can be prevented or mitigated.

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