Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment through Coping Strategies Index in Tillaberi region in Niger

Abstract

Climate change vulnerability of four villages in the Tillaberi Region of Niger was analyzed through a coping strategy index (CSI) determination. It concerned the villages of Dioga and Magou, in the commune of Torodi and those of Zori Bangou and Tokobinkani Zarma in that of Hamdallaye. Two types of indices were measured, one in relation to food security, and the other with assets and livelihoods. They reflected different values between the villages of the two municipalities and the two municipalities from 2015 to 2106. The value of the CSI in relation to the food security of the two municipalities in 2016, represents half of the score 2015, reflecting a decline in food vulnerability for this period. The CSI for assets and livelihoods for 2016 is 6.93, higher than 2015 one (6.32), indicating a greater diversification of livelihoods. In addition, the coping strategy index for the food aspects is higher in the villages of Hamdallaye with 55.5 and 41.9 respectively in 2015 and 2016, than in those of Torodi respectively 46.91 and 22.6, for 2015 and 2016, reflecting a higher vulnerability in Hamdallaye. For the CSI in relation to the assets and livelihoods, there is no significant difference between the two villages of Torodi and one of the two villages of Hamdallaye (Zori Bangou). Torodi, located further South with higher rainfall and greater livelihood diversification, has lower vulnerability criteria in relation to the food aspects than Hamdallaye in the north. Thus, there is an increase in vulnerability from south to north inversely proportional to the increasing rainfall gradient.