WACA Call for Innovation Award Ceremony
1st Place: WAC-APP: App to Explore the Impacts of Coastal Interventions by HKV-UNESCO-DELFT Institute. 2nd Place: Trans-Sand: Transnational Bypass Scheme Funded by a Public-Private Dredging Fund by Egis-Deltares-Financeforimpact. 3rd Place: SA-POD: Systems Approach for Port Development by WITTEVEEN, CDR, BOSKALIS, PENAF, WETLANDS.
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News & Events
In West Africa, coastal erosion poses enormous risks. Camp Khar Yallah for internal displaced people.
La loi sur le littoral ivoirien, a entre autres pour objectifs de lutter contre l’érosion côtière.
A look at the relationship between protecting and restoring mangroves and rice cultivation.
In Guinea, the fisheries sector contributes to 3.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
“We need to find new ways to stop coastal erosion and should not be afraid to call for help".
Key Facts & Figures
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56%
Coastline in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo subject to an average erosion of 1.8 m per year
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US$1.4 billion
Cost of air, water and waste pollution cost in 2017 to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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13,000 deaths
Occur in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo primarily due to floods, air and water in 2017
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$3.8 billion
The cost of erosion, flooding and pollution cost to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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56% GDP
Generated by West Africa Coastal Areas
COASTAL CHALLENGES IN WEST AFRICA
Coastal erosion and flooding in West Africa severely threaten people’s communities, livelihoods, safety and investments. About 56% of West Africa’s GDP is generated in coastal provinces, where one-third of the population resides. Stronger storms and rising seas are wiping out homes, roads and buildings that have served as landmarks for generations. Some beaches are deeply mined for sand, protective mangroves are deforested, and people are increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Some residents have no choice but to move away—a trend that is breaking up communities and changing the social fabric for future generations.
Rapid and often unplanned urbanization has devastated the natural landscape that once served as a buffer for erosion and flooding. These developments disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized, and will intensify due to climate change. While countries have started to contain erosion and flooding, there is an urgent need for partners to mobilize financing through coordinated regional action. Collaboration at the policy and technical levels helps countries to manage erosion hotspots, and to maintain the livelihoods that a healthy coastal ecosystem provides to people and economies.
