Across West Africa, more than 7.5 million people were internally displaced in 2022 alone due to floods, droughts, and other environmental impacts. With economies heavily reliant on climate-sensitive agriculture, these pressures pose a significant threat to livelihoods and stability in the region. Nine out of twelve ECOWAS countries rank among the world’s 30 most climate-vulnerable. Women and marginalized groups are often the most affected, yet gender inequality and limited access to disaggregated data continue to hinder inclusive responses.

The Global Programme “Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change II” (HMCCC II), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), supports the ECOWAS Commission in developing regional and national strategies that link climate adaptation, human mobility, and peacebuilding. Through capacity development, research, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange, the programme strengthens cooperation between ECOWAS and its Member States, enhances early warning and risk management systems, and empowers civil society and city networks to shape gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive solutions.