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Research Article

Will They Continue to Endure: How Conflict and “Climate-Induced” Migration is Affecting the Lake Chad Region

Authors

  • Oyewumi Ogunmakin Department of Politics and International Relations, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    ogunmakin.oyewumi@lcu.edu.ng

Abstract

The effects of climate change are undoubtedly global. Reports show that West Africa is in a precarious position, regarding some of the worst consequences of climate change, occasioning extreme events, such as violent conflict, insecurity, and loss of livelihoods in the Lake Chad region. The impact on human lives is full-blown as ‘climate-induced’ migration results in drought, desertification, and the intensifying water stress has on human migration in the region. Notably, the deterioration of individual and local living conditions has compelled inhabitants of the region in Nigeria to migrate to neighboring states as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or ‘environmental refugees” in neighboring countries. However, existing studies focused on the impact and patterns of migration in West Africa thereby creating a “knowledge gap” on how ‘climate-induced’ migration is affecting the Lake Chad region. This paper employs secondary data collection, analyzing dynamic trends and patterns of climate change and challenges management. Findings revealed that while the activities of terrorists and insurgent groups have strongly impacted migration within the Lake Chad region, the continuous “dryness” and the ever-changing climate conditions, such as rising temperature, desertification, flooding, and drought have dramatically worsened and contributed to the mass decision to leave the region.

Keywords:

Climate Change Climate-Induced Migration Lake Chad Region Migration

Article information

Journal

Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology

Volume (Issue)

1(2), (2024)

Pages

16-24

Published

29-10-2024

How to Cite

Ogunmakin, O. (2024). Will They Continue to Endure: How Conflict and “Climate-Induced” Migration is Affecting the Lake Chad Region. Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology, 1(2), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.69739/jece.v1i2.136

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