The interconnected challenges of health crises, mass displacement, environmental shocks, and the persistent vulnerability of marginalised populations increasingly threaten human security in West Africa. The concept of “security contagion”, where instability in one area rapidly spreads to others, has become especially relevant as the region faces new and recurring shocks. This article analyses how these dynamics undermine human security, drawing on recent events and data from West Africa to highlight the urgency of integrated, people-centred and climate-sensitive responses aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The threats to human security across West Africa directly undermine progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). Protracted displacement, fragile healthcare systems, and recurring conflict impede efforts to reduce inequality (SDG 10), ensure access to quality education (SDG 4), and build resilient infrastructure (SDG 9). For example, the inability of displaced children to access education disrupts lifelong opportunities and erodes community resilience, while overwhelmed health systems fail to provide even basic care, setting back decades of development gains. As West Africa grapples with overlapping crises, achieving the SDGs requires a security paradigm shift that puts human needs and dignity at the center of regional and national policy responses.
Health Security Under Pressure
Health security in West Africa is frequently undermined by outbreaks of infectious diseases and systemic weaknesses in public health infrastructure. In 2023, countries such as Nigeria, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, and Mali experienced significant outbreaks of yellow fever, Lassa fever, cholera, meningitis, and measles, placing millions at risk and overwhelming already fragile health systems (ReliefWeb, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities, with research from Ghana indicating that the pandemic’s impacts extended beyond health, affecting food security, education, and livelihoods (International Rescue Committee, 2023).
These health threats are worsened by limited access to healthcare, shortages of medical personnel, and the destruction of health facilities in conflict-affected areas. For instance, attacks on health infrastructure in northern Nigeria and the Sahel have disrupted vaccination campaigns and basic health services, increasing the risk of preventable deaths (Human Rights Watch, 2025). Malnutrition and infectious diseases, particularly among children under five, remain leading causes of mortality in displaced communities, as shown by recent mortality surveillance studies in humanitarian settings.
Climate Security: A Silent Catalyst
Climate-related events such as droughts, floods, and desertification are increasingly acting as catalysts for displacement and insecurity in the region. The 2023 flooding in West Africa affected over 1.3 million people and displaced tens of thousands and destroyed livelihoods, particularly in rural areas already grappling with food insecurity and weak infrastructure (International Rescue Committee, 2023). Also, rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, and changing agricultural seasons intensify competition for resources and strain state capacity, fueling existing conflicts.
Displacement: Scale and Impact
Displacement in West Africa has reached unprecedented levels. As of 2024, an estimated 13.6 million people in West and Central Africa are forcibly displaced, with 8.4 million internally displaced due to conflict, political instability, climate shocks, and environmental degradation (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2023). Long-standing conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin, new crises in Sudan, and escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have forced millions from their homes, often into neighboring countries or overcrowded camps with limited resources.
Displacement creates a cascade of human security challenges. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees often lack access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. Overcrowding in camps increases the risk of disease transmission, while food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread, especially among children and pregnant women. Displaced populations are also at heightened risk of exploitation, gender-based violence (GBV), and recruitment by armed groups, further deepening their vulnerability (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
Vulnerable Populations: At the Margins
Certain groups are disproportionately affected by the convergence of health crises, climate change, and displacement. Women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities face heightened risks due to limited access to resources and social protection (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2023). In conflict-affected areas, women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence, while children are at risk of recruitment into armed groups or being kept out of school (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
The destruction of infrastructure and the breakdown of social services disproportionately impact rural and marginalised communities. Climate-induced shocks such as flooding or drought exacerbate displacement and health risks. Gender-specific responses such as survivor-focused GBV centres, community safe spaces for women, and access to reproductive healthcare must be prioritised in policy interventions.
Security Contagion: The Interconnectedness of Threats
The phenomenon of security contagion is evident in how violence, disease, environmental stress, and displacement reinforce one another across West Africa. Armed conflict not only causes direct harm but also disrupts health services, education, and economic activity, creating fertile ground for disease outbreaks and further displacement (Amani Africa, 2024). For example, the escalation of violence in the Sahel led to a 40% increase in attacks in Benin and Togo in early 2024, while attacks in the Lake Chad Basin surged by 15%, resulting in a 92% rise in civilian casualties over just a few months (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
Porous borders facilitate the cross-border movement of armed groups and displaced populations, making regional cooperation essential. Political instability and weak governance exacerbate these challenges, as regional and international bodies struggle to hold perpetrators accountable or provide adequate humanitarian assistance. The destruction of infrastructure, abductions, and targeted attacks on civilians have left millions without protection or basic services, fueling cycles of insecurity and vulnerability (Amani Africa, 2024).
Examples from West Africa
- Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger: Insecurity and conflict in 2024 displaced hundreds of thousands, with many fleeing to coastal countries such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. Displaced families often arrive with few possessions and little access to services, placing additional strain on already limited local resources (UNHCR, 2023).
- Nigeria: Faced simultaneous outbreaks of diphtheria, cholera, and meningitis in 2023, affecting millions and highlighting the intersection of health and security threats. Ongoing violence in the northeast has displaced millions, disrupted vaccination campaigns, and left many without access to basic healthcare (ReliefWeb, 2023).
- Lake Chad Basin: A hotspot for terrorism and displacement, with attacks rising by 15% and civilian casualties nearly doubling in 2024. Humanitarian needs have outstripped available resources, and displaced populations face acute food insecurity and health risks (WANEP, 2023).
Local Resilience and Regional Policy Responses
Efforts to address these intertwined challenges are evolving. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has developed a Human Security Index to monitor vulnerabilities and guide policy interventions across health, environment, security, and governance (ECOWAS, 2024). This framework aims to provide data-driven insights for targeted action and improved coordination among governments, civil society, and international partners.
Community actors also play a critical role. In areas where state capacity is weak, local NGOs, religious leaders, and women’s groups often deliver essential services, mediate disputes, and support survivors of violence. Their involvement in designing and implementing interventions can enhance trust and ensure culturally appropriate responses.
However, significant gaps remain in the protection of civilians, accountability for human rights abuses, and the provision of humanitarian aid. Strengthening early warning systems, investing in climate-resilient health infrastructure, and prioritising the needs of displaced and vulnerable populations are essential for breaking the cycle of security contagion and building long-term human security in the region.
Conclusion
Human security in West Africa is under severe strain from the interconnected threats of health crises, displacement, environmental shocks, and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups. The phenomenon of security contagion underscores the need for holistic, integrated approaches that address the root causes of insecurity while building resilience. Solutions must prioritise the protection of individuals through investments in health systems, gender-sensitive services, climate adaptation, and regional coordination. Recent events across the region highlight the urgency of collaborative action by governments, civil society, and international partners to safeguard human security and advance the SDGs.
References
Amani Africa. (2024). Africa in a new era of insecurity and instability: The 2024 review of the Peace and Security Council.
ECOWAS. (2024). ECOWAS reviews human security index to address security and development challenges in West Africa.
Frontiers in Public Health. (2025). Community-based mortality surveillance among internally displaced persons in Banadir, Somalia.
Human Rights Watch. (2025). West Africa: Civilians unprotected in conflicts.
International Rescue Committee. (2023). West Africa – Emergency Report 2023.
ReliefWeb. (2023). West and Central Africa: Health – Reports.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2023). West and Central Africa – Regional overview.
WANEP. (2023). West Africa Early Warning Outlook 2023.
