The Effects of Climate Extremes on Illegal Migration of The Gambia's Youth

Abstract

Migration is as old as human existence and it has been a suitable option for residence faced with disasters. The movement of people within the African continent can be traced far back to precolonial era. When people in the western Sudan were deeply engaged in trade with their northern counterparts. However, the irregular/clandestine/illegal migration of people between Africans and Europeans had predated colonisation of Africans. But this was not made an issue until recently, when mass exodus of African youths to Europe gained public attention both in the print and electronic media. The irregular migration of The Gambia’s youths to Europe is well documented in the country’s history. These youths are mostly from the rural areas where farming is the predominant economic activity and the source of livelihood. With the advent of climate change and climate variability, farming is likely be impacted so seriously that many more youths relying on rainfed agriculture will be tempted to migrate. Consequently, the study therefore investigates the effects of climate extremes on illegal migration of The Gambia’s youths. It specifically: assesses the perception and causes of illegal migration; examine the effects of floods and droughts on illegal migration; identify problems faced by youths during journeys to their destination; identify their coping strategies during the perilous journey; and evaluate measures taken by the government, civil society groups and other organized institutions to address illegal migration of youths. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research designs were illegal migrants and returnees formed the sample of 105 respondents. These interviewees were selected by snow ball sampling. A second group of interviewees were parents of the illegal migrants that were 10 groups of 8 in the four Regions. Also 12 Key Informants Interviews drawn from institutions dealing with climate change and migration nexus were done. The data was analysed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS Version 20), Micro soft excel (2013) and Arc GIS 10.3 software application. The research established that climate extreme events specifically flood and drought had been pronounced in the four regions under study. Long dry spells are more severe in NBR and CRR than in URR and WCR. This is negatively impacting all farming communities in the regions and it is fast-tracking the migration of the youths. Furthermore, the odds evicting youths from their home to take the perilous journey commonly called the “Backway” is worsen by dreadful scenes they encounter. Notwithstanding, the illegal migrants sought numerous strategies earmarked to keep them moving at all cost. Finally, both Government and its development partners like the EU are actively engaged in addressing illegal migration of the youths. But their efforts are thwarted by inadequate understanding of the hybrid of issues surrounding the theme. The uncertainty of climate change phenomenon and limited understanding of climate variability and migration nexus complicated the issues further. Many climate extremes related mobility and mortality are preventable through education, good floodplain management, and early warning systems. These make it a sine qua non to integrate climate change related extremes like floods and drought into the national school curriculum. The findings will further contribute to shape and reform public policies relevant to youth development, and societal resilience to hostile effects of climate change.