Climate Change in the West African Sahel: Impact on Water and Migration
This course will examine the impact of climate change on societies, cultures, and economies in the West African Sahel, which includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria. The Sahel, a transitional zone between the Sahara Desert and the savanna in sub-Saharan Africa, has been particularly affected by climate change, which has led to unpredictable rainfall and drought. This is also an area of significant out-migration to other parts of Africa and Europe.
Considering the movement of Sahelian populations in search of areas with heavier rainfall or irrigation, this course aims to examine the interdependence existing between climate change, conflict, and migration in order to confront the challenges facing rural and urban development in the Sahel. The course goes beyond approaches focused on the physical and chemical aspects of water to develop a constructive perspective, valuing local and international responses to climate change and water management.
The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs offers credit/non-credit professional courses for practitioners around the world. Each professional course for Spring 2025 is designed to prepare current and future aid workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and disasters.