Climate change and human mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with impacts felt unequally across different population groups. Factors like gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods intensify the challenges for marginalized communities, who often lack the resources needed to adapt. These intersecting vulnerabilities limit their capacity to respond effectively, making them more susceptible to adverse effects and, in some cases, forcing them into “involuntary immobility” or into distress migration or displacement. Lack of accessible information on climate risks and migration options amongst people in vulnerable situations impedes the ability to make informed decisions about staying or moving, eliminating opportunities of creating a viable future. In addition, gender dynamics significantly influence migration patterns. Also, rapid urbanization often surpasses the development of necessary infrastructure and services, leading to informal settlements that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. 

Baseline: Climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly driving human mobility, including forced displacement and distress migration, as extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and resource scarcity disrupt livelihoods.

The combined pressures of climate change and migration demand coordinated regional and global solutions and international cooperation. Switzerland’s involvement in addressing these challenges aligns with its commitment to promoting sustainable development, peace and reduce poverty. By engaging in such a program in the region, Switzerland contributes to tackling the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration, reducing vulnerabilities, and fostering regional stability.

Erwartete Resultate:  

-Conduct intersectional action oriented research on climate change, migration, and gender to inform decision-making and strengthen regional and national policy coherence.

-Develop and implement comprehensive, genderresponsive policies integrating migration into climate resilience plans.

-Establish comprehensive and gender-responsive protection services that ensure climate-affected migrants have access to social services, and resources that promote their safety and well-being.

-Integrate gender-responsive, climate-sensitive urban expansion planning at local level to anticipate and address the needs of climate-affected migrants.

-Share best practices and innovations addressing gender-responsive human (im)mobility in climate change contexts at international, continental, and regional levels.

Resultate von früheren Phasen:   N/A