How to save the coast of Cameroon

A joint research between Cameroonian and French researchers has been launched since May 4 during a workshop.

Cameroon has over 400 km long coastline, some areas with millions of people. The country is primarily concerned by the dangers of climate change. These include coastal erosion, silting of ports and floods.

It is in this context that it has been held since May 4, 2015 on the campus in Akwa of the graduate school of the University of Douala, a modeling international workshop in coastal oceanography. Open to the attention of researchers from the Technical University (Iut) and the Institute of Fisheries Science (Ish), co organizers - through the University of Douala - with the Research Institute for Development (IRD ) and other Cameroonian and French entities.

And yesterday May 5, the workshop was inaugurated by the Rector Dieudonné Oyono and the ambassador of France, Christine Robichon. Inauguration, which took place simultaneously with the launch of the young team project associated with IRD: Cameroon Littoral response to multi-scale oceanic forcings.

This multidisciplinary team from the University of Douala was selected following a competition launched in 2014 by IRD, putting in competition 42 entries from around the globe. And for three years, Cameroonian program will be supported to the tune of about FCFA33 million.

After this period, these researchers will be integrated into the regional network of oceanographic laboratories in Gulf of Guinea. And training is currently held in Douala until 9 May, it is the result of a framework agreement for scientific and technical cooperation in April 2014 between the University of Douala and IRD, as recalled Dieudonné Oyono.

Christine Robichon, stressing the support of the population for an effective fight against climate change, welcomed the exhibition "oceans and climates" on campus. Still in the same direction, a panel of discussion was held yesterday Tuesday at the French Institute in Douala. The theme: oceans and climates, Douala is it threatened by the rising water level of the Atlantic Ocean?