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Module BOX 4 Exposures and sensitivities leading to vulnerability in West Africa

Throughout West Africa, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Over 74 per cent of the
region’s poor are involved in agricultural production, and exports of agricultural products are
the dominant source of foreign exchange. While agriculture is the main livelihood source for
9-12 December, 2013 migration, handicrafts and small scale trading.
most poor people, it is typically supplemented by other activities, such as seasonal and urban

Of all the exposures, drought commonly receives the most attention. First, because the
agricultural production is mostly rain-fed, it is very sensitive to repeated exposure to drought.
This also includes vulnerability of population, as alternative sources of income could not
cover the reduction in production so drought led to widespread famines and periods of
hunger and nutritional stress. Because the poor generally rely on agriculture for a major part
of their income, drought has significant direct impacts, but by reducing access to water, it also
has indirect, but significant, impacts on the health of people and local ecosystems. In addition

to drought, hail, lightning and tornados are pervasive threats to agricultural productivity and
livelihoods throughout the region.

People are better able to cope when they use terraces to control soil erosion and small-
scale water collection systems; or in diversifying their income sources, perhaps by purchasing
tools for a specific job, like construction. Such investments also help reduce vulnerability

and improve overall livelihood security. Finally, in terms of actual sensitivity and extent
of vulnerability, substantial differences exist among the poor as a population and more
differences appear when comparing farming systems, urban and rural livelihoods, gender,
households or household members.

Source: Dow, 2005

We may regard vulnerable people and communities as victims of environmental degradation, volatile
markets, climate change and other risks; however, it is becoming apparent that many vulnerable
communities have the capacities to anticipate and cope with these risks. For example, in flood-
prone areas, many communities use housing construction materials that could be easily dissembled
or moved. However, if the flooding is too frequent, too severe or occurs during the major cropping
seasons, and communities are less able to obtain key crops, meaning that their capacities could be

20 Volume Two - Themes
Vulnerability and Impact assessments for Adaption to Climate Change (VIA Module)