September 16, 2024
Authors: Trésor Daniel MEFIRE, Becky Enow Mpey AYUK
Country: Cameroon
Photo credit: Julie Peh, Panoramapapers Website
SUMMARY
Floods have become a pressing concern in the Sahelian region and particularly in Far North region of Cameroon. These natural events, driven by both climate change and human activities, have had devastating consequences for the region's population. Since 2000, floods have increased in frequecy and severity, resulting in significant loss of life, property damage, and displacement. In recent years, the Sahelian region, particularly the Far North region of Cameroon, has been particularly hard-hit, with thousands of people affected and hundreds of hectares of crops destroyed. The causes of these floods are multifaceted. Climate change has led to more erratic rainfall patterns, while urbanization and deforestation have increased runoff and reduced the land's capacity to absorb water. To address this growing crisis, a comprehensive approach is needed. This includes sustainable urban planning, strengthening community-based disaster response, diversifying livelihoods, and regional cooperation on water resource management. By taking proactive measures, the Sahelian region and particularly the Far North region of Cameroon can build resilience and mitigate the devastating impacts of floods.
BACKGROUND
What's Driving the Rise of Floods in Sahelian Region?
Introduction
Floods are natural disasters defined by the accumulation of water on land that is normally dry, resulting from heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or failures in human-made structures like dams. In the Sahelian region of Africa, particularly in the Far North of Cameroon, floods have become a harsh reality for local communities. This area, characterized by its semi-arid climate, is increasingly experiencing severe flooding events that disrupt lives and economic activities. The frequency and intensity of these floods are rising, posing significant challenges to the resilience of the affected populations. Understanding the factors driving this increase in flooding is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate its impacts and enhance community resilience.
I. State of Floods
Floods in the Sahel region have become more frequent and more devastating in recent years, causing the death of dozens of people, the loss of crops, and colossal damage. Between 2000 and 2019, floods in the Sahel region increased by 20% (World Meteorological Organization [WMO], 2020). In 2012, they caused the death of 81 people and left more than 500,000 people homeless (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2012). Cameroon is not spared. Indeed, in 2024, the Far North has been hit hard by these floods, resulting in the destruction of 2,998 hectares of crops, the loss of 1,178 head of cattle, the destruction of 8,690 houses, and affecting 158,620 people with 7 deaths (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [OCHA], 2024).
II. Causes of Floods
Floods in the Sahel region are the result of several factors, both natural and anthropogenic.
II.1. Natural Factors
The Sahel region is marked by climatic irregularity, with increasingly frequent intense rainfall events. Climate variability in the Sahel is influenced by oscillations in the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans (Giannini et al., 2003). Similarly, climate change has direct consequences on populations. With a deficit of rainfall events combined with an increase in intense rainfall, the average temperature in the Sahel is expected to increase by 2 to 4°C by 2050, which will lead to an increase in extreme precipitation (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2013).
II.2. Anthropogenic Factors
The urbanization of flood-prone areas explains why floods are more severe than before. The impermeabilization of surfaces that receive rainwater is a significant factor in increasing runoff coefficients. The city of Bamako in Mali saw its population double between 2000 and 2010, leading to accelerated urbanization and an increase in flood risks (World Bank, 2011). The lack of sanitation in urban and peri-urban areas is a significant factor in increasing runoff coefficients. Urban waste accumulates in canals and creates blockages, facilitating flooding in canals and riverside neighbourhoods (the case of the Far North region of Cameroon). Changes in land use, particularly the expansion of areas with crusted soils, contribute to increasing runoff coefficients. Indeed, the conversion of agricultural land to urban areas increased by 30% between 2000 and 2015, exacerbating flood risks (University of Ouagadougou, 2016). In addition, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), deforestation in the Sahel reached a rate of 1.5% per year between 2000 and 2010 (FAO, 2011). The absence of vegetation cover in the Sahel contributes to increased runoff coefficients; soils without vegetation cover are more susceptible to erosion and runoff.
III. Consequences of Floods
The consequences of floods in the Sahel region are multiple and severe. Floods cause displacement of populations to safer areas, often under very precarious conditions. Populations are sometimes forced to abandon their homes to gather in safer areas with difficulties accessing drinking water, insufficient latrines, and food. In the Far North region of Cameroon alone, 158,620 people were affected and 7 deaths were recorded (OCHA, 2024). Floods cause significant damage to roads, dams, and buildings, thus affecting economic infrastructure. In 2012, they caused an estimated $100 million in damage to Niger's infrastructure (World Bank, 2012). They also have a direct impact on agricultural systems; random harvests result in food insecurity. In 2019, floods in Burkina Faso destroyed about 30% of maize and rice crops, leading to a food shortage (FAO, 2019). In addition, in the Far North region of Cameroon, 2,998 hectares of crops were destroyed and 1,178 head of cattle were lost (OCHA, 2024).
IV. Solutions to Floods
To mitigate the consequences of floods, several solutions can be implemented: It is essential to control urbanization in flood-prone areas by promoting rainwater infiltration and reducing impermeabilization on surfaces that receive rainwater. This could reduce flood risks by 40% (University of Ouagadougou, 2019). Flood-prone areas should be developed to reduce flood risks while promoting rainwater infiltration. The city of Bamako has implemented a sustainable urban planning plan that includes creating green areas and reducing impermeable surfaces (City of Bamako, 2018). Strengthening community-based disaster risk reduction systems developed by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is crucial for minimizing risks and making prevention measures sustainable. For example, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL's program in Niger reduced flood risks by 25% in 2020 (SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, 2020). Diversifying household income sources and access to financial capital can help build community resilience to floods; diversifying income sources can reduce household vulnerability to floods by 20% (World Bank, 2019). Establishing an operational regional platform to support local communities in sustainable management of water resources and infrastructure is essential for ensuring population well-being and promoting territorial economic development. For example, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's water resources management program reduced flood risks by 15% in 2019 (ECA, 2019).
Conclusion
Floods in the Sahel region are a major challenge that requires an integrated approach to address. By understanding the natural and anthropogenic causes of these floods, measuring their consequences and implementing appropriate solutions, it is possible to reduce risks and improve the resilience of populations. Collaboration between governments, international organizations and local communities is crucial to mitigating the consequences of these climate events.
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