Abstract
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER RESOURCES IN LIBERIA: FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT OF TWO SLUM COMMUNITIES (WEST POINT AND NEW KRU TOWN)
*Ansumana A. Bility, Hüseyin Gökçekuş and Youssef Kassem
ABSTRACT
The far-reaching impacts of climate change are gradually becoming a global emergency. The manifestations vary from region to region. Due mainly to higher precipitation and sea-level rise, flooding has emerged as one of the leading disasters exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis. Liberia being one of the wettest countries in the world (World Bank Group, 2021), flooding is reasonably one of the most anticipated natural disasters, if not the most. Through Extensive Literature Review, ELR, and contacts with resourceful informants in the environmental, disaster management, and water sectors of Liberia, this paper assessed the flood vulnerability levels of two of the flood-prone communities in Monrovia, West Point, and New Kru Town. Variables considered for ranking were dominant infrastructure type, frequency of flooding, time of flooding (months of the year), average income, and household size. Results indicate high population density, fragile infrastructure (mostly zinc shacks), flooding occurring mostly from July-September, and massive unemployment amongst residents of the two communities. Lack of proper urban planning resulting in poor drainage infrastructure sufficed as one of the major reasons for flooding in these two communities. Findings show a lack of preparedness from disaster management agencies like the EPA and LDMA. Most of the disaster management and environment management programs have been primarily reactive. Flooding events and victim reparation are emergencies only during flooding periods. Solutions will encompass adaptations strategies that build the resilience of would-be victims to anticipated impacts through proper policy formulation and holistic implementation in addition to improved urban planning.
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