Climate, Multi-Hazard And Disaster Risk Profile of Cameroon
Detailed Cameroon Climate, Multi-Hazard Disaster Risk And Vulnerability Profile
Cameroon is a highly climate-sensitive and multi-hazard exposed country because of its exceptional ecological diversity. It stretches from the Atlantic coast and humid Congo Basin forest zone in the south to the volcanic highlands in the west, the Adamawa plateau in the centre, and the dry Sudano-Sahelian zone in the Far North. This diversity makes Cameroon vulnerable to floods, droughts, extreme heat, landslides, coastal erosion, volcanic hazards, crater-lake gas hazards, epidemics, food insecurity, displacement and conflict-related fragility.
1. Climate Context
Cameroon is often described as “Africa in miniature” because it contains almost all major African climate and ecological zones: coastal humid forest, equatorial rainforest, highlands, savannah, semi-arid northern plains and the Lake Chad basin. The south and coastal belt are humid, with high rainfall and flood-prone lowlands. The western highlands receive heavy rainfall and are exposed to landslides and erosion. The north and Far North experience a long dry season, high temperatures, recurrent drought and increasingly erratic rainfall.
Average temperature has already increased in Cameroon, while rainfall has become more variable. The country has experienced rising heat, shifting rainfall patterns, more intense rainfall events, dry spells, drought stress and increasing flood frequency. Climate projections indicate continued warming, increased extreme heat, greater rainfall variability, more frequent heavy rainfall events, increased flood risk in many areas, and worsening drought and water stress in the northern regions.
The most climate-sensitive zones are:
| Zone | Main Climate Concerns |
|---|---|
| Far North / Lake Chad Basin | Drought, extreme heat, desertification, river floods, food insecurity, displacement, farmer-herder tension |
| North / Benue Basin | Drought, floods, water scarcity, crop and livestock stress |
| Adamawa Plateau | Pasture stress, shifting rainfall, erosion, livestock disease risks |
| Western Highlands | Intense rainfall, landslides, erosion, flash floods, volcanic terrain instability |
| South and Forest Zone | Rainfall variability, forest degradation, biodiversity stress, crop disease |
| Coastal Belt / Douala-Limbe-Kribi | Urban flooding, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, storm surge, drainage failure, landslides |
2. Climate Change Trends And Projections
Cameroon’s climate change risk is driven by rising temperatures, changing rainfall distribution and intensifying extreme events. Northern Cameroon is expected to experience stronger heat stress, more frequent drought episodes, lower soil moisture and greater pressure on water resources. The humid south may continue to receive high rainfall, but rainfall may become more intense and unevenly distributed, increasing flood, erosion and landslide risks.
According to climate-risk assessments, temperature in Cameroon may rise significantly by mid- and late-century, with higher warming in the northern regions. Heatwaves are expected to affect a growing share of the population, with implications for public health, outdoor labour, livestock productivity, food storage and water demand. Rainfall projections are more uncertain than temperature projections, but extreme rainfall is expected to increase, particularly affecting flood-prone river basins, urban settlements and steep highland landscapes.
Key climate change implications include:
| Climate Variable | Expected Change | Likely Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Continued warming across all regions | Heat stress, crop yield decline, livestock stress, higher evaporation |
| Rainfall | More variable and uneven rainfall | Drought-flood cycles, crop failure, water stress |
| Heavy rainfall | More intense rainfall events | Flash floods, landslides, infrastructure damage |
| Dry spells | Longer and more severe in northern areas | Reduced pasture, water scarcity, food insecurity |
| Sea level | Gradual rise along Atlantic coast | Coastal flooding, erosion, saline intrusion |
| Extreme heat | More frequent hot days and heatwaves | Health risks, labour loss, urban heat stress |
3. Multi-Hazard Disaster Risk Profile
Cameroon’s disaster risk is multi-hazard and regionally differentiated. Climate-related hazards dominate the risk profile, but geophysical and biological hazards are also important.
| Hazard | Risk Level / Hotspots | Main Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| River floods | Far North, Logone-Chari, Mayo-Danay, Benue, Sanaga, Wouri basins | Displacement, crop loss, damaged homes, water contamination |
| Urban floods | Douala, Yaoundé, Garoua, Maroua, Bafoussam | Drainage failure, road damage, disease outbreaks, informal settlement losses |
| Coastal floods | Douala, Limbe, Kribi, coastal lowlands | Sea-level rise, storm surge, coastal erosion, damage to ports and settlements |
| Drought | Far North, North, Adamawa | Crop failure, livestock deaths, food insecurity, water scarcity |
| Extreme heat | Northern Cameroon, urban centres | Heat illness, reduced labour productivity, livestock stress |
| Landslides | West, North-West, South-West, Mount Cameroon slopes | Deaths, road blockage, settlement damage, farmland loss |
| Volcanic hazards | Mount Cameroon, Cameroon Volcanic Line | Lava flow, ash, earthquakes, slope instability |
| Crater-lake gas hazards | Lake Nyos, Lake Monoun | Rare but catastrophic limnic gas-release risk |
| Wildfire / bushfire | Savannah, degraded forest margins, dry northern zones | Ecosystem loss, crop damage, air pollution |
| Epidemics | Flood-prone and displaced communities | Cholera, malaria, diarrhoeal disease, malnutrition |
| Conflict-compounded hazards | Far North, North-West, South-West, East refugee-hosting areas | Restricted access, displacement, food insecurity, weakened coping capacity |
ThinkHazard classifies Cameroon as high risk for river flood, urban flood, coastal flood, landslide, volcano, water scarcity, extreme heat and wildfire. UNDRR also identifies floods and droughts as core disaster risks under current and future climate conditions.
4. Flood Risk
Flooding is one of Cameroon’s most frequent and damaging hazards. It occurs through river overflow, flash floods, urban drainage failure, coastal flooding and dam/river-system interactions. The Far North is repeatedly affected by flooding from heavy rainfall and river overflow in the Logone and Chari systems. Urban areas such as Douala face chronic flooding due to low elevation, blocked drainage, wetland encroachment, informal settlements and rapid urban expansion.
In 2024, severe floods in the Far North affected more than 400,000 people, destroyed over 56,000 homes, inundated hundreds of schools, damaged health centres and submerged tens of thousands of hectares of farmland. This demonstrates how flooding in Cameroon directly disrupts shelter, food systems, education, health care, WASH and local markets.
Flood risk drivers include:
| Driver | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Intense rainfall | Heavier rainfall events overwhelm rivers and drainage systems |
| Settlement in floodplains | Poor and displaced households often occupy unsafe land |
| Poor drainage | Urban drains are blocked, undersized or poorly maintained |
| Wetland degradation | Natural flood retention areas are being lost |
| Deforestation | Increases runoff, erosion and sedimentation |
| Weak land-use control | Construction occurs in hazard-prone zones |
| Limited early warning | Forecasts do not always reach communities in actionable form |
5. Drought, Water Scarcity And Desertification
Drought risk is most severe in the Far North, North and parts of Adamawa. Rainfall is low, variable and increasingly unreliable. Longer dry spells and higher temperatures reduce soil moisture, pasture quality, surface water availability and crop productivity. This affects rainfed farming, livestock rearing, fishing and household water access.
Drought impacts include crop failure, livestock mortality, reduced milk production, rising food prices, increased malnutrition, migration, school dropout and competition over water and pasture. In the Lake Chad Basin, drought and shrinking water resources interact with insecurity, displacement and livelihood collapse, increasing climate-security risks.
6. Landslide, Erosion And Mountain Risk
The western highlands, North-West, South-West and Mount Cameroon areas are highly exposed to landslides and erosion. These risks are driven by steep slopes, intense rainfall, volcanic soils, road construction, deforestation, settlement expansion and poor slope drainage. Landslides can destroy homes, block roads, damage farms and isolate communities.
Landslide risk is particularly serious where settlements, roads and farms are located on unstable slopes. Climate change may increase the frequency of rainfall-triggered landslides by intensifying heavy rainfall events.
7. Coastal And Urban Risk
Cameroon’s Atlantic coast is exposed to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, storm surge, tidal flooding, saline intrusion and urban drainage failure. Douala is especially vulnerable because it is low-lying, densely populated, economically important and heavily exposed to riverine, pluvial and coastal flooding.
Coastal and urban risk affects:
| Asset / Sector | Risk |
|---|---|
| Ports and trade infrastructure | Flooding, erosion, operational disruption |
| Informal settlements | High exposure, weak housing, poor drainage |
| Roads and bridges | Flood damage, erosion, traffic disruption |
| Water and sanitation | Contamination, cholera and diarrhoeal disease |
| Fisheries | Coastal erosion, storm damage, ecosystem degradation |
| Industry and commerce | Business interruption and asset loss |
8. Volcanic, Earthquake And Crater-Lake Gas Hazards
Cameroon’s geophysical risk is concentrated along the Cameroon Volcanic Line. Mount Cameroon is an active volcano and has experienced eruptions in historical times. Volcanic hazards include lava flows, ash, volcanic gases, earthquakes, landslides and slope instability.
Cameroon is also globally known for rare crater-lake gas hazards. The Lake Nyos disaster of 1986 killed more than 1,700 people after a sudden carbon dioxide release. Lake Monoun also experienced a deadly gas release in 1984. Degassing systems have reduced the risk, but long-term monitoring remains important because these hazards are low-frequency but extremely high-impact.
9. Food Security And Livelihood Vulnerability
Cameroon’s economy and livelihoods are highly climate-sensitive. Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forests support a large share of the population. Most smallholder farmers depend on rainfall and have limited access to irrigation, climate information, insurance, improved seeds, storage, mechanization or finance.
Key food-system vulnerabilities include:
| Livelihood System | Climate Risk |
|---|---|
| Rainfed farming | Drought, floods, rainfall shifts, pests, erosion |
| Livestock | Heat stress, pasture loss, water scarcity, disease |
| Fisheries | Flood variability, water quality decline, lake and river stress |
| Forest livelihoods | Forest degradation, biodiversity loss, wildfire, changing rainfall |
| Urban food markets | Flood disruption, high transport costs, food price spikes |
The most exposed crops and livelihood systems include maize, sorghum, millet, rice, cassava, plantain, cocoa, coffee, cotton, vegetables, livestock and fisheries. Climate shocks reduce production and income while increasing food prices and malnutrition risks.
10. Public Health Vulnerability
Climate change is increasing health risks through heat stress, flooding, water contamination, vector-borne disease and malnutrition. Floods increase cholera, diarrhoeal disease and malaria risks, particularly where WASH services are weak. Drought contributes to food insecurity, acute malnutrition and water scarcity. Heatwaves affect elderly people, children, outdoor workers, pregnant women and people with chronic illness.
Health facilities themselves are exposed to floods, road disruptions, power interruptions and supply-chain failures. In flood-affected regions, damaged health centres reduce access to emergency care, maternal health services, nutrition treatment and disease surveillance.
11. Conflict, Displacement And Compound Risk
Cameroon’s disaster vulnerability is intensified by conflict and displacement. The Far North is affected by the Lake Chad crisis and insecurity. The North-West and South-West regions face prolonged conflict and displacement. The East, Adamawa and North host refugees from the Central African Republic. These crisis contexts reduce coping capacity, restrict humanitarian access, weaken institutions and increase pressure on land, water, schools, health facilities and host communities.
Climate shocks in fragile areas can trigger cascading impacts:
| Climate Shock | Cascading Impact |
|---|---|
| Drought | Crop loss, livestock stress, food insecurity, migration |
| Flood | Displacement, disease outbreak, school closure, farmland loss |
| Heat | Health stress, water demand, livestock decline |
| Resource scarcity | Farmer-herder conflict, protection risks, livelihood competition |
| Infrastructure damage | Market disruption, aid access constraints, service collapse |
12. Social Vulnerability
The most vulnerable groups include smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fishing communities, displaced persons, refugees, women-headed households, children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, informal settlement residents and communities living in floodplains, coastal zones and unstable slopes.
Women and girls face disproportionate impacts because climate shocks increase water and fuelwood collection burdens, food insecurity, unpaid care work, GBV risks, school dropout and livelihood insecurity. Children are highly vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, school disruption and protection risks after floods or displacement.
13. Institutional And Early Warning Challenges
Cameroon has important institutions for climate and disaster risk management, including national climate and disaster agencies, meteorological and hydrological services, sector ministries and local governments. However, risk governance faces gaps in coordination, data sharing, localized risk mapping, last-mile communication, impact-based forecasting, anticipatory action financing and local preparedness.
Priority MHEWS gaps include:
| System Area | Key Gap |
|---|---|
| Observation | Limited hydromet stations in some high-risk zones |
| Forecasting | Need stronger flood, flash-flood, drought and landslide forecasting |
| Risk data | Insufficient local exposure, vulnerability and loss databases |
| Communication | Warnings do not always reach last-mile communities in usable form |
| Preparedness | Limited evacuation planning and community drills |
| Financing | Weak anticipatory financing and risk-transfer mechanisms |
| Coordination | Need stronger links between NMHS, DRM agencies, sectors and local governments |
14. Priority Adaptation And DRR Measures
Cameroon needs a risk-informed, locally grounded adaptation strategy across its five agro-ecological zones. Priorities include:
| Priority Area | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Multi-hazard early warning | Strengthen hydromet networks, impact-based forecasting, alert protocols and last-mile dissemination |
| Flood risk management | Drainage improvement, floodplain zoning, wetland restoration, river monitoring, evacuation planning |
| Drought resilience | Drought monitoring, water harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, pastoral water points, fodder banks |
| Landslide risk reduction | Slope mapping, drainage control, road stabilization, settlement zoning, community alerts |
| Coastal resilience | Mangrove restoration, coastal zoning, erosion control, resilient infrastructure, drainage upgrades |
| Food security | Climate-resilient seeds, irrigation, storage, agroforestry, livestock health, market access |
| Health resilience | Cholera preparedness, heat-health plans, WASH, nutrition surveillance, climate-informed disease monitoring |
| Urban resilience | Risk-sensitive urban planning, informal settlement upgrading, solid waste management, drainage maintenance |
| Conflict-sensitive adaptation | Support resource-sharing, transhumance corridors, peace-oriented local adaptation planning |
| Risk finance | Emergency funds, anticipatory action triggers, insurance, shock-responsive social protection |
Conclusion
Cameroon’s climate and disaster risk is not a single-hazard problem. It is a compound risk system where climate change, fragile livelihoods, conflict, displacement, weak infrastructure, land degradation and limited coping capacity interact. The Far North faces the most severe drought-flood-food security-conflict nexus; the western highlands face landslide and volcanic terrain risks; the coastal belt faces flooding, erosion and sea-level rise; and urban areas face drainage, heat and public health risks.
For Cameroon, the most important strategic direction is to move from reactive disaster response toward risk-informed, anticipatory and locally led resilience. This requires stronger multi-hazard early warning systems, climate-risk data platforms, localized CRVA, impact-based forecasting, resilient infrastructure, climate-smart livelihoods, conflict-sensitive adaptation and sustained financing for adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Sources used: ThinkHazard Cameroon, UNDRR Cameroon Disaster Risk Profile, UNEP-GRID Cameroon Climate Fiche, ND-GAIN Cameroon, WFP Cameroon Floods 2024, EU Humanitarian Aid Cameroon, Cameroon National Adaptation Plan.