Buildings damaged by coastal erosion and rising sea levels in Saint-Louis. Reuters

But erosion threatens thousands of kilometres of coast from Mauritania to Gabon. About 105 million people live in West Africa’s coastal areas, which generate 56 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product, according to the World Bank.

In some places, the land is receding as much as 10 metres a year, it said.

$200 million funding

To deal with the larger problem, the bank has launched a West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA), with a first funding round of about $220 million due to be approved this month.

The money will be used to build sea walls and other defences, plant vegetation along shores and support communities, said Benoit Bosquet, WACA manager at the World Bank. But it will not be enough to move everyone out of harm’s way.

“When it comes to relocation, it’s very tricky,” Bosquet said. “It’s not clear that we will have the time or money sufficient to do relocation everywhere.”

Looking for a place to house 10,000 people

Saint-Louis has identified a few potential plots where the 10,000 people at risk or already displaced could move, and is negotiating with neighbouring communes for the land, said Ousmane Sow, director of the regional development agency.

In the best-case scenario, houses could be built and people relocated within two years, he said.

“We are counting on the state,” said Faye in Khar Yalla - a sentiment echoed by others who have already seen their homes disappear.

But Sow anticipates challenges in resettling people the water has yet to reach. “We will have to convince them,” he said.

One of the potential relocation sites is close to Saint-Louis, but the city may not be able to seal a deal for the land, he said.

Another option is about 30 km away. It is close to the sea, so fisherman would not have to travel too far.

But it is only a matter of time - perhaps several decades - before the water arrives there too, Sow said.

By Nellie Peyton

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