The Lake Chad region faces compounded humanitarian crises from climate change and conflict, increasing vulnerability and undermining livelihoods. A study involving local interviews assessed these interconnections and identified key climate-fragility risks, suggesting that effective stabilization efforts must consider climate impacts to reduce violence and improve community resilience.
The Lake Chad region is grappling with multifaceted humanitarian crises driven by conflict and environmental changes. Climate change exacerbates these crises by increasing temperatures and altering rainfall patterns, thereby challenging the sustainability of local livelihoods. Additionally, ongoing conflicts between armed groups and state forces heighten community vulnerabilities to climate risks, eroding traditional adaptation strategies.
This article examines climate-related security risks affecting stability in the Lake Chad area, where political, economic, and security complexities intertwine with environmental stressors. The assessment includes qualitative data gathered from 229 in-depth interviews with locals across Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The aim is to explore how climate change impacts existing vulnerabilities, leading to necessary policy and response adaptations.
The findings highlight four central risks associated with climate fragility in the Lake Chad region: 1) Increased livelihood insecurity due to climate change; 2) Heightened vulnerability from the interplay between conflict and fragility; 3) Escalating resource conflicts stemming from scarcity; and 4) Increased recruitment by armed groups fueled by economic instability. Addressing these climate risks is crucial for successful stabilization efforts in the region.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
