Benin: Lessons from the formulation of a National Adaptation Plan

In this series of video interviews, authors present their case studies that IAP recently published in collaboration with Save the Children in 'Climate Change and Health: Science-based Policy Solutions'.

Benin, a country highly vulnerable to climate change, faces significant health risks from various climate hazards, necessitating coordinated adaptation measures.

Hashim Hounkpatin, a lead researcher involved in the formulation of Benin's National Adaptation Plan (NAP), spearheaded a study highlighting the importance of comprehensive adaptation strategies to protect public health. His research underscores the critical need for targeted interventions to address the health risks posed by climate change, especially in vulnerable communities.

Watch the full interview with Hashim Hounkpatin to learn more about his impactful work:

Key Insights:

Climate-Health Risks: Benin's NAP identifies and prioritizes heatwaves, flooding, and drought as the main climate hazards affecting health. These events pose significant risks such as heat stress, malnutrition, and vector-borne diseases, particularly impacting the most vulnerable populations.

Systematic Adaptation Approach: The NAP employs a systematic approach to adaptation, covering policy development, financing, capacity building, resilience reinforcement, and disaster management. This comprehensive strategy ensures a coordinated response across multiple sectors including health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Challenges and Lessons Learned: The formulation of the NAP faced challenges such as inadequate vulnerability assessments, limited sub-regional cooperation, and the dominance of global governance bodies in shaping adaptation policies. Despite these challenges, the process demonstrated strong political will and commitment, essential for successful policy implementation.

Future Goals: The NAP aims to enhance Benin’s climate resilience by 2030 through continuous updates and integration of lessons learned. Ensuring adequate funding and addressing multiple vulnerabilities are crucial for effective adaptation and sustainable development.

Read and download the case study here.
Read and download the entire book here.

Stay tuned for more video interviews from the authors of the IAP Climate Change & Health case studies. Follow us with the hashtag #ClimateHealthSolutions to stay updated on the latest insights and developments.

Watch all the video interviews on the IAP YouTube channel here.

For more information on the project, read here.