Severe Flooding in Chad and Nigeria: A Humanitarian Crisis Affecting Millions

Severe floods in Chad and Nigeria have affected over 2.1 million individuals, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage. The humanitarian crisis has prompted urgent calls for support, with organizations mobilizing to assist impacted families, specifically children. Key issues include shelter needs, food security, and risk of epidemics due to contaminated water.

In West and Central Africa, relentless heavy rains have triggered catastrophic floods, significantly affecting Chad and Nigeria. Recent reports indicate that over 2.1 million individuals have been adversely impacted, with approximately 1 million people displaced from their homes due to the deluge. In Chad alone, 341 lives have been lost, and more than 1.5 million people have experienced the consequences of these floods, with widespread destruction of homes resulting in families seeking refuge in schools and temporary shelters. Richard Ndoutabet Ngardoum, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Chad, expressed grave concern regarding this humanitarian crisis, stating, “Community families and their children are the worst affected, and the situation is very critical. On the ground, our teams see urgent needs for shelter, food, access to drinking water, hygiene supplies, and healthcare.” He further noted that the repercussions of the flooding have severely impacted the Family Strengthening Program in Linia, with significant losses to the families supported. The ongoing floods have not only caused material loss but also exacerbated existing poverty, with critical damage to livelihoods and reduced access to essential services. As stated by Mr. Ngardoum, “The loss of over 60,000 livestock and the flooding of 250,000 hectares of farmland are having a direct negative impact on food security and the livelihoods of the population.” Consequently, local communities are increasingly reliant on humanitarian aid for survival. As the new academic year approaches, the displacement of families into schools poses additional challenges. Mr. Ngardoum highlighted, “Temporary shelters will soon need to close, but the needs remain immense. The rainy season lasts until October, and the rain forecasts do not point to a decrease.” Compounding the crisis, infrastructure damage—particularly to bridges and roads—hampers the delivery of necessary aid. There is a rising risk of epidemics, especially cholera, due to water contamination and insufficient sanitation measures, which particularly endangers children in affected regions. Mr. Ngardoum called for urgent assistance, urging, “We hope to intervene as we did during the 2022 floods, assisting the most vulnerable families with essential non-food items and multi-purpose cash assistance.” In Nigeria, the floods have similarly ravaged Borno State, with an estimated 600,000 people suffering as a result. Eghosa Erhumwunse, National Director for SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, remarked on the dire conditions, stating, “The devastating floods in Borno State have brought a tragic loss of life and destruction of property… there is an urgent call for support, especially for families in our program in the Gaidamgari community, housing over 80,000 people.” Despite the overwhelming destruction, there are efforts underway to assist affected communities, with the SOS MAYDAY Emergency Relief Fund poised to aid families through swift and effective responses during crises. Donations to this fund will bolster the organization’s efforts in rebuilding lives and fostering resilience in vulnerable communities.

The floods in Chad and Nigeria are a direct consequence of heavy rains that have persisted since July, resulting in catastrophic humanitarian conditions in both nations. The extensive impact on local communities, compounded by the destruction of critical infrastructure, highlights the urgent need for international support and aid to address the immediate necessities of the affected populations. The historical context of recurring floods in these areas underscores the challenges faced in managing disaster response and enhancing community resilience.

The overwhelming floods in Chad and Nigeria have led to significant loss of life and extensive property damage, displacing millions and exacerbating poverty levels. The calls for urgent humanitarian intervention reflect the critical needs of affected families, particularly for shelter, food, and medical assistance. Continued advocacy and support from the international community is essential to restore hope and facilitate recovery efforts in these devastated regions.

Original Source: www.soschildrensvillages.ca