Economic and Livelihood Impacts of Meteorological Disasters across Different Climatic Zones of Cameroon: A Mixed-methods Assessment

Abstract

Cameroon experiences recurrent meteorological disasters whose livelihood and economic consequences vary across its major climatic zones. This study assessed common meteorological disasters, their economic and livelihood impacts, and the adaptation strategies used by vulnerable populations in six cities representing four climatic zones. A mixed-methods design combined 1,200 household questionnaires administered in Douala, Tiko, and Bamenda with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations conducted in Yaoundé, Garoua, and Maroua. Findings showed that floods, landslides, and disease outbreaks were prominent in the Equatorial Cameroon and Equatorial Guinean climatic zones, whereas floods, droughts, dust storms, heatwaves, wildfires, and epidemics were frequently reported in the Sahelian zones. Overall, 65.9% of respondents reported that changing climatic conditions affected their livelihoods. In Douala, 44.1% reported severe property damage and 40.6% severe financial losses, while 38.9% of respondents in Tiko reported severe deterioration in health conditions. Subsistence farmers and livestock keepers were particularly affected through crop damage, livestock losses, reduced yields, and water scarcity. Reported adaptation measures included sandbagging, embankments, relocation, tree planting, livelihood diversification, changes in livestock feed, water management, and traditional housing practices. The findings indicate that meteorological disasters disrupt livelihoods and household economic stability across Cameroon’s climatic zones, while many existing adaptation responses remain only partly effective. Strengthening locally appropriate adaptation, meteorological monitoring, and disaster-risk management may therefore improve resilience in affected communities.