Coastal erosion and marine flooding today pose a major challenge for the Comoros and are likely to increase in the future. To cope with this, the local population mainly favors “hard” adaptation by stabilizing the coast, in particular through seawalls. However, this approach appears to be rather ineffective and sometimes proves to be maladaptive. What accounts for this preference? What would be the alternatives? To answer these questions, a sociological study has been conducted, focusing on the perceptions of local stakeholders.
A Question of Development
Synthesis of AFD
studies and research
JUNE 2023 No 61
Coastal erosion in the Comoros: How are perceptions and risks of maladaptation linked?
On the three islands[1] that make up the Comoros, coastal erosion, meaning shoreline retreat, is a major problem. The archipelago is one of the countries in the world most at risk of losing its sandy beaches. It is estimated that 45% of them have already disappeared (Union des Comores, 2016). The perceptions that local stakeholders have of these changes and the measures taken to cope with them are a key factor in risk anticipation and management, as they strongly influence the motivation to adapt. The sociological study by Klöck (2023) addresses this issue of perceptions, both of the causes of coastal erosion in the Comoros and the effectiveness of the current protection measures and possible alternatives. This study is based on a literature review, semi-structured interviews with local experts, and a field survey[2] among the population conducted on five sites located on two islands (Fumbuni and the neighboring villages of Hantsindzi and Ndrude in Ngazidja; Niamachoi and Hamavuna in Mwali). We present the main findings here.
[1] This study focuses on the three islands Ngazdija/Grande Comore, Mwali/Mohéli and Ndzuani/Anjouan. [2]
Author Carola Klöck Sciences Po Paris
The field research was conducted in July 2022.