Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Silent Victims of Climate-induced Displacements

By Dauda Abbas

In a recent statement released by an international Child Rights Agency on September 4, 2023, it was revealed that the number of children displaced within their home countries in sub-Saharan Africa due to climate-induced disasters had nearly doubled in 2022.

This alarming trend, based on data from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, indicates that no fewer than 1.85 million children in the region were left displaced by climate shocks at the end of 2022, compared to one million in 2021.

The report sheds light on the dire situation faced by these displaced children, many of whom experienced multiple displacements and continued to live in camps, with extended family members, or in temporary arrangements.

Nigeria, in particular, emerged as the country with the highest number of climate-induced internally displaced persons in Africa, with an estimated 2.4 million people affected, including approximately 427,000 children.

The report also highlights the devastating impact of climate change on Somalia, where five consecutive failed rainy seasons forced approximately 6.6 million people, or 39 percent of the population, into critical levels of hunger, making it the second-highest contributor to internal displacements in the region.

One alarming finding is that the number of climate-induced child displacements in 2022 was three times higher than the previous year, making it the highest annual number ever reported for the region.

This situation underscores the urgent need for solutions and interventions to address the growing climate crisis in sub-Saharan Africa and protect the rights of vulnerable children.

Despite these alarming statistics, the report emphasizes that countries in Africa contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on the continent.

It calls for increased attention, support, and international cooperation to address this pressing issue and safeguard the rights and well-being of children in the face of the climate crisis.

The Worsening Climate Crises

The report highlights that the escalating climate crisis in the region has led to these distressing numbers. Factors such as extreme weather events, including flooding and droughts, as well as prolonged heatwaves, have driven families from their homes and disrupted the lives of children.

The displacement of children within their own countries has had a profound impact on their access to education. Many of these displaced children have been unable to attend school regularly, if at all, due to their uncertain living situations. This disruption in education threatens their long-term prospects and development.

Living in temporary arrangements, including crowded camps, exposes these displaced children to various health risks. Access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services remains a challenge in many of these situations, which can lead to health issues among the displaced children.

The repeated displacements and the loss of stability in their lives have also taken a toll on the mental well-being of these children. Many of them suffer from psychosocial trauma, which requires immediate attention and support.

The report also highlights that climate-induced displacement exacerbates gender disparities, with girls often facing additional risks, including gender-based violence, while displaced.

Displacement numbers are not evenly distributed across the region. While Nigeria and Somalia have been identified as the most affected countries, other nations in sub-Saharan Africa are also grappling with the consequences of climate-induced displacements.

It’s important to acknowledge that regional disparities exist in terms of both the causes and consequences of these displacements.

The report emphasizes that African nations contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet they bear a disproportionately high burden of climate impacts.

This highlights the need for international support, funding, and cooperation to address the climate crisis and its effects on the most vulnerable, particularly children.

Africa Climate Week

The timing of this report coincides with the Africa Climate Week taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, where policymakers and stakeholders are convening to discuss potential solutions to the climate crisis.

The report serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of their discussions and the need for concrete actions to mitigate climate change and protect the rights of children.

The rising numbers of climate-induced child displacements in sub-Saharan Africa present a multifaceted crisis that demands immediate attention from policymakers, international organizations, and the global community.

The situation calls for not only short-term relief efforts but also long-term strategies to address the root causes of climate change and its devastating impact on the region’s most vulnerable population: its children.