Vulnerability of Populations to Flooding and Marine Submersion in the Wouri Estuary (Cameroon), in the Context of Climate Change.

Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of natural disasters. Marine submersion and flooding appear to be major consequences of this forcing, and the damage they cause is regular and significant (e.g., the spread of diseases and destruction of infrastructure). In tackling these disasters, it is useful to start with a vulnerability assessment. The objective of this study is to assess the vulnerability of populations to marine submersion (Manoka and Cape Cameroon) and flooding (Sodiko) in the Wouri estuary. Collecting the data to achieve this objective necessitated several approaches, ranging from surveys of residents and managers to the collection of topographical data, water levels, and participatory mapping. For Sodiko, the submersible zone (< 2.23 m) delimited from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generated included 117 ha (65%). The vulnerability scores (on a scale from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high)) of the 69 grids (150 m² each) exposed range from 2 to 4 (low to high). In the case of Manoka, the submersible zone included 110 ha (70%), which corresponds to the majority of the urbanized coastal zone. The vulnerability scores of the 59 grids (150 m² each) exposed range from 2 to 5 (low to very high). At Cape Cameroon, the submersible zone included 35 ha (89%), and the vulnerability scores of the 145 grids (50 m² each) exposed range from 2 to 5. This site is much more vulnerable than Sodiko and Manoka. These results allow us to have a first-hand fine-scale mapping of the exposure to submersion/flooding of these sites and to better understand their vulnerability. They could also make it possible to prioritize future interventions to adapt to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]