Sea Level Rise Displacing Slum Dwellers, West Point, Monrovia, Liberia.
West Point, situated at the heart of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is highly exposed to sea level rise placing its residents at risk to related coastal hazards such as erosion, storm surges and inundation. The slum is densely populated and characterized by a constant inflow of residents, resulting in homes being built up to the water’s-edge. During the biannual rainy season, over 50% of homes are lost to the sea, causing thousands to be wholly displaced. The displaced move in with friends or family, build temporary homes or live on the streets. Once the tide submerges, residents mark a spot on the beach and rebuild. As one West Point resident stated, “for us in West Point, we call the sea the original landlord”. Climate change is expected to exaggerate the frequency and effects of Sea Level Rise and associated hazards, compounding existing levels of social vulnerability.
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