Devastating Impact of 2024 Floods in West and Central Africa

The 2024 floods in West and Central Africa have affected over 4 million people across 14 countries, primarily due to increased rainfall intensity. Niger reported 217 deaths and extensive displacement, while Cameroon faced critical flooding situations. Simultaneously, drought conditions threaten food production in several regions. The flooding poses immediate humanitarian challenges and will have lasting impacts on food security.

In 2024, West and Central Africa face unprecedented flooding that has severely impacted 14 nations, affecting over 4 million individuals. This disaster stems from increased rainfall intensity and quantity, leading to the failure of critical water retention systems, with notable incidents in Maiduguri, Nigeria, and Mayo Danay, Cameroon. Meanwhile, regions like Burkina Faso and Ghana experience droughts, posing further challenges to food production.

Since mid-July, major river basins in the area have exhibited a significant rise in rainfall, surpassing long-term averages. The Niger and Senegal basins are now registering rainfall levels over one standard deviation from historical norms, while the Lake Chad basin has exceeded two standard deviations. Projections suggest that rainfall will persist until late October, which could exacerbate humanitarian crises related to flooding.

On August 22, Niger’s government reported 217 fatalities, 200 injuries, and more than 350,000 displaced individuals due to the flooding. In Cameroon, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted multiple floods since August 19, reaching critical levels particularly in the divisions of Logone et Chari and Mayo Danay. Additionally, in early September, strong winds and torrential rains damaged 1,700 homes, displacing approximately 3,300 people.

The implications of these floods extend beyond temporary displacement, as they significantly threaten food security for the upcoming year, 2025, adding to the region’s humanitarian concerns. The interplay between flooding and drought affects agricultural stability, complicating recovery efforts.

In conclusion, the floods of 2024 in West and Central Africa have caused extensive damage and loss of life, with particular emphasis on Cameroon and Niger. The dual challenges of flooding and drought severely threaten not only humanitarian conditions but also food security for the future, necessitating urgent intervention and coordinated response measures to mitigate these crises.

Original Source: reliefweb.int