The Lake Chad region faces a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by climate change and conflict. Climate variations affect livelihoods, while ongoing conflicts increase vulnerabilities. A climate-security assessment reveals four critical risks interacting with insecurity, underscoring the need for responses that consider both climate and conflict dynamics for stability.
The Lake Chad region is enduring a profound humanitarian crisis compounded by the dual threats of conflict and environmental fragility. Climate change exacerbates existing political, economic, and security challenges, leading to increased temperatures and erratic rainfall that hinder the communities’ ability to sustain their livelihoods. Concurrently, armed conflicts intensify vulnerabilities, thereby undermining traditional coping mechanisms against climate-related risks.
This article details the findings from a climate-security nexus assessment in the Lake Chad area to inform potential response strategies. The assessment employed a locally-driven participatory conflict analysis, which involved 229 in-depth interviews conducted by a locally-led research team with affected communities across Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The objective is to construct a comprehensive evidence base evaluating how climate change intertwines with the region’s risk landscape.
The analysis identifies four key climate-fragility risks: (i) Climate and ecological changes heighten livelihood insecurity; (ii) Conflicts exacerbate vulnerabilities, straining community adaptive capacities; (iii) Resource scarcity incites conflicts; and (iv) Livelihood insecurity contributes to the recruitment of individuals into armed groups. The article contends that the effectiveness of stabilization initiatives aimed at curbing violence in the region relies heavily on recognizing and addressing the climate risks affecting the Lake Chad area.
The Lake Chad region, encompassing parts of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, has been severely impacted by climate change, contributing to a precarious security environment. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns strain agricultural practices and livelihoods, increasing susceptibility to conflicts. The intertwining of climate risks with existing socio-political tensions demands a nuanced understanding to formulate effective response strategies.
The findings from the climate-security assessment highlight the urgency of addressing climatic factors alongside conflict dynamics in the Lake Chad region. Addressing climate-fragility risks is crucial for stabilizing the area and improving community resilience. A strategic response that encompasses climate risks is paramount for effective stabilization efforts and community empowerment.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
