Enhancing climate resilience with smarter data: the role of dynamic social registries

2024 has been marked by catastrophic floods caused by climate change in many regions of the world. In West and Central Africa alone, nearly 7 million people have been affected by rising waters following torrential rains. These floods exacerbate food insecurity, which is expected to impact 55 million people this year. As is often the case, the poorest populations are the most vulnerable. In response to the increasingly frequency of floods and droughts, several countries in West and Central Africa are developing climate-adaptive social protection systems. The goal is to build the resilience of poor populations and ensure a rapid response in times of crisis.

The importance of accurate data on vulnerable populations

To respond effectively it is crucial to have reliable data on households vulnerable to or already affected by climate shocks. When such data is unavailable or insufficient, some programs, like Togo’s Novissi program during the pandemic, have relied on alternative sources, such as mobile phone metadata, satellite imagery, or post-disaster surveys. These methods offer some short-term advantages, but also have limitations:

• Exclusion of the most vulnerable: those without access to a mobile phone may be left out.
• Population displacement: in times of crisis, people may move, making data unreliable.
• Difficulties in precise targeting: limited budgets require accurate beneficiary selection.
• Risk of delays: post-disaster surveys are time-consuming and costly, slowing aid distribution.
• Accurate data help policymakers better understand climate vulnerability and improve the design of assistance programs. For example:
• Anticipating assistance needs: housing characteristics can indicate vulnerability to disasters.
• Identifying at-risk groups: farmers relying on rain-fed agriculture are more exposed to droughts.

Dynamic social registries: a key solution

Dynamic Social registries have emerged as a critical innovation for a rapid and effective response. These databases contain precise information on households, including their location and socio-economic characteristics.

However, most social registries cover households classified as poor. For these registries to be effective during climate shocks, they must include all households vulnerable to such events, whether they are poor or not. Some households may fall into poverty if affected by a disaster, making it essential to broaden the definition of vulnerability and invest in strengthening these registries.

Several countries in the region are starting to integrate climate vulnerability into their social registries:

• Benin has adopted a legal framework officially recognizing climate vulnerability as a criterion for registry inclusion. This will allow for the registration of all residents in flood-prone areas and improve coordination among humanitarian and government actors.
• Senegal is doubling its social registry coverage to reach one million households.
• Mauritania and The Gambia are implementing universal registries covering the entire population to quickly identify and assist affected households.
• Togo is developing a social registry that also aims for universal coverage.

A worthwhile investment

Building dynamic social registries requires significant investments in technology and large-scale data collection. However, once established, their maintenance becomes more cost-effective through dynamic registration and continuous updates. These systems enhance the efficiency of social spending by improving coordination in response efforts. Furthermore, the collected data can be valuable for other sectors such as health, education, disaster risk management, and energy.

By strengthening these registries, governments can better anticipate and respond to climate-related disasters, providing more effective protection for their populations.