Avery Fiftal (She / Her)

Currently, I work with UNEP, where my role is centered on supporting data-driven research and program development at the intersection of climate security and conflict in Somalia. I manage a detailed data repository on climate security, integrating climatic data, climate projections, and UNEP’s STRATA hotspotting tool within our climate security work, including programming. This involves analyzing conflict events in relation to climate impacts across programmatic target areas utilising GIS mapping. My desk research focuses on program inception planning, particularly around nature-based solutions, by linking environmental risks with security implications to inform strategic program planning in Somalia. As my role progresses, I’ll be contributing to UNEP’s presence at COP29, supporting Somalia’s engagement in the Loss and Damage discussions. This includes developing comprehensive reports that outline Somalia’s loss and damage needs resulting from climate impacts like droughts and floods, detailing both the country’s resilience challenges and the financial requirements to address them effectively. Previously, I served as an intern with the International Crisis Group, where I conducted research on climate-related conflict risks across Africa, with a focus on East Africa and the Horn of Africa. My responsibilities included preparing in-depth reports on climate-conflict dynamics, such as Al-Shabaab’s activities in Somalia, as well as monthly situation reports and country-specific analyses. I also worked with datasets from ACLED and the World Bank, coding and analyzing data to support articles, reports, and visualizations, and prepared talking points for senior analysts and executives for international events, including COP28. I hold an MSc in Humanitarianism, Aid, and Conflict from SOAS University of London, where my dissertation explored the role of solar energy in strengthening economic resilience within refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya. My studies emphasized the intersection of humanitarian aid, climate impacts, and sustainable development within vulnerable communities. My career began as a Project Coordinator at Kantar, where I developed foundational expertise in data management, processing, and analysis, which has continued to shape my work in climate and conflict research. Early experiences included internships in digital marketing, non-profit advocacy with NARAL and Amnesty International, and donor relations at Mystic Seaport Museum, where I built skills in research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication.