Stakeholders on migration and climate change across West and Central Africa have called for increased funding to help vulnerable communities tackle the growing impact of climate change as floods, droughts, and environmental degradation continue to displace millions across the region.
Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration, Ms Sylvia Ekra, warned that climate change is rapidly reshaping livelihoods and could force over 32 million people in the region from their homes by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Migration and Climate Action in Lagos, Ekra stressed that climate funding must reach the communities most affected to prevent migration from becoming a forced survival decision.
“Unless climate funding reaches the communities most affected, migration will not be a safe and informed choice but a forced decision,” she said.
Also speaking at the conference, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, noted that the European Union remains the largest funding partner on migration issues.
He, however, stressed the need for sustainability and accountability in managing climate and migration funds to prevent diversion and ensure long-term impact.
According to De Luca, proper investment project planning is critical to transforming spending into sustainable development opportunities and global gateways for participating countries.
On her part, Director of Climate Change at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, said Nigeria remains committed to global efforts aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening disaster risk reduction across the region.
Participants at the conference, including representatives from across West and Central Africa and the Government of Denmark, called for improved early warning systems, stronger local adaptation support, and better access to climate funding for affected communities.
Reporting Bukola Abe