IRC warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis in climate-vulnerable West African countries

Onome Amuge

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has issued a warning about the growing humanitarian crisis in West Africa, where climate change and conflict are compounding each other’s effects and putting people’s lives at risk. The IRC is calling on world leaders to take action during the COP28 conference in Dubai, where they are gathering to address the challenges of climate change.

According to the IRC, the Sahel region produces less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and Mali are among the countries most affected by climate-related disasters, which have led to the displacement of people, the destruction of economic livelihoods, and disruptions in access to food. The impacts of climate change in these countries are magnified by conflict, as the displacement of people due to violence can exacerbate the effects of climate-related disasters. 

Modou Diaw, vice president of the International Rescue Committee in West Africa, pointed out the combined effects of climate change and conflict in countries such as the Central Sahel, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria amplify existing vulnerabilities and inequalities in already fragile or conflict-affected societies. He explained that in these countries, poverty is widespread and many people are dependent on sectors that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as agriculture and pastoralism. As a result, climate-related disasters can have devastating impacts on people’s livelihoods, food security, and well-being   

Diaw added that the Sahel region is bearing a disproportionate burden of the climate crisis, as evidenced by recent extreme weather events in the region. In August and September, rainfall in southern Mali, southwestern Burkina Faso, and northwestern and central Nigeria was below average, putting farmers and pastoralists at risk of food insecurity. In addition, Diaw noted that conflict and insecurity in parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria make it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need and make it more difficult for people to engage in food production. 

The IRC vice president remarked, “During COP28, it is crucial to focus on greater collaboration between humanitarian actors, local and national authorities, climate scientists, and other stakeholders. 

Global leaders must address immediate humanitarian needs by investing in humanitarian access and support households to anticipate shocks, dismantle the feedback loop between climate change and armed conflict, and fund climate adaptation initiatives that suit the needs and challenges of conflict-affected, climate-vulnerable states such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger. 

Together, we can focus on solutions for the communities most impacted to better cope with climate change, which exacerbates other challenges seen in the region.”

According to  Diaw, most of the IRC’s country programmes have identified climate change as a priority area in their strategic plans. These programmes have successfully piloted innovative climate change adaptation, resilience, and preparedness initiatives in various sectors, rather than solely focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He added that the organisation’s work on climate change has included programmes to improve early warning systems, strengthen water management systems, increase access to renewable energy, support climate-resilient livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

“The communities at the epicenter of the climate crisis are the communities the IRC knows best—we have worked in the Sahel countries that are both climate vulnerable and conflict affected, providing wraparound humanitarian services, whether responding to droughts, strengthening WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programming or prioritizing protection and livelihoods—all while putting women and girls’ agency at the center of our work,”   he added. 

Speaking on intervention efforts of the global humanitarian non-governmental organisation In Nigeria where more than 600 people lost their lives in floods and 1.3 million people were displaced in 2022,Diaw said the IRC has developed a flood risk monitoring platform in the northeast of the country. He disclosed that this innovative initiative, carried out in collaboration with the private sector and national bodies including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, uses indigenous, hydrological, meteorological and satellite data to anticipate and take active action.