News
26 September 2024
Sea-level rise puts island communities in Sierra Leone at risk of displacement
Geneva, Switzerland – The inhabitants of Plantain Island in Sierra Leone have been losing homes and land to the sea for several decades due to escalating sea level rise and coastal erosion. The encroaching sea has triggered thousands of internal displacements, forcing people to move inland or onto the mainland, bringing with it additional challenges and opportunities, according to a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre published today.
For decades, the impacts of climate change have destroyed housing, infrastructure, and livelihoods on the small island. However, since the early 2000s, the growing impacts of climate change have accelerated the pace of destruction and displacement.
The report, based on research conducted jointly with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone, examines the impacts of slow onset disasters, namely sea level rise on internally displaced in Plantain Island and the mainland.
“Sea level rise as a trigger for internal displacement has been underexplored,” explained Thannaletchimy Housset, Research Manager at IDMC. “The findings from our survey on the socioeconomic impacts of displacement on communities from Plantain Island can support the Government of Sierre Leone in identifying and prioritizing the people’s most urgent needs.”
Losing homes, income sources and access to basic services
The housing situation and livelihood opportunities for people deteriorated after losing homes or agriculture and fishing spots to the surging ocean. After displacement, residents of Plantain Island struggle with lower individual income, higher housing costs and shifting livelihoods and income sources. Displaced people remaining on the island also reported difficulties in accessing education, health care and documentation.
“Almost everyone on this island has had to move. Some people have left Plantain Island but those who stayed behind have all moved inland or are rebuilding inland,” said a displaced member of the community.
Solutions for people at risk of and already displaced
The main challenges of people displaced on Plantain Island are linked to low socioeconomic development. Displacement exacerbates existing difficulties. Solutions to internal displacement cannot focus on the internally displaced communities alone. They must be embedded in national development plans and included in the government’s discussions with international partners and donors.
“Our cooperation with IDMC is new,” said John V. Rogers, Deputy Director of NDMA. “As our population is increasingly impacted by climate change, notably sea level rise, we believe this work will be highly relevant for them.”
Read the full report
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Mark Gnadt, Head of Communications
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