Severe Flooding Crisis in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon: A Call for Urgent Humanitarian Aid

Torrential rains have resulted in severe flooding across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, affecting over 2.7 million people. Action Against Hunger calls for urgent funding to assist these vulnerable populations, with thousands facing hunger, loss of homes, and devastating impacts on agriculture. The climate crisis exacerbates the situation, creating further challenges for recovery.

Severe flooding has recently affected millions across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, with more than 2.7 million individuals impacted by torrential rains that have devastated communities and agricultural lands. Specifically, Chad has seen approximately 1.7 million people affected, closely followed by one million in Nigeria and over 230,000 in Cameroon. In light of the destruction of hundreds of thousands of homes and fields, Action Against Hunger is advocating for immediate funding to support an emergency response aimed at assisting the most vulnerable populations in these regions. In Chad, the rainfall began at the end of July and has continued unabated, affecting various provinces including Lac, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mandoul, Tandjilé, and Batah. The Sila province, a refuge for those fleeing Sudan’s civil war, has also encountered significant flooding. So far, the floods have tragically resulted in over 500 fatalities and have destroyed more than 210,000 homes, approximately 880,000 acres of crops, and nearly 70,000 cattle, exacerbating the risk of hunger in a nation where 3.4 million people are already experiencing acute food insecurity. Gusatve Gnagny, the Country Director of Action Against Hunger in Chad, stated, “The affected populations are facing critical needs for food, drinking water, shelter, health, and protection. According to initial estimates, nearly $100 million is needed to bring relief to these stricken populations. So far, barely 10% of this sum has been mobilized.” In Nigeria, the states of Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kanu, Bayelsa, and Yobe have experienced severe flooding, leaving tens of thousands without adequate shelter or food. The situation is dire as over 32 million individuals were already facing severe food insecurity before this crisis. Floodwaters have submerged half of Borno State’s capital, Maiduguri, impacting approximately 414,000 residents. Thierno Samba Diallo, the Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Nigeria, remarked, “The floods have damaged over 300,000 acres of farmland in Nigeria. The damage is likely to exacerbate food insecurity during the current lean season and in the months to come.” In the Far-North region of Cameroon, flooding has affected around 236,000 individuals, destroying more than 30,000 acres of crops, with growing concerns over potential waterborne diseases. Pascal Maillard, the Country Director of Action Against Hunger in Cameroon, emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, stating, “Certain infrastructure such as bridges and dykes have already collapsed, which will generate massive population displacements. The priority needs are food, shelter, and essential household items, as well as access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. The general mobilization of the humanitarian community and donors is vital; the emergency is here.” The escalating climate crisis continues to manifest in increasingly frequent climatic shocks in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This recent flooding episode has severely damaged farmland and livestock, jeopardizing the already fragile livelihoods of the affected communities. Action Against Hunger has been active in Chad since 1981, in Nigeria since 2009, and in Cameroon since 2013, focusing on projects pertaining to nutrition, health, mental health and psychosocial support, water, hygiene, sanitation, and food security, amongst other areas.

The article discusses the widespread flooding resulting from torrential rains in Central and East Africa, particularly impacting Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. It highlights the humanitarian crisis triggered by this natural disaster, which has caused widespread destruction of homes and farmlands, aggravating the existing food insecurity in the region. Action Against Hunger is presented as a key organization responding to this crisis, seeking funding and support to aid the affected populations. The context is underscored by the ongoing climate crisis and its implications for water access and agricultural viability in these nations.

In conclusion, the severe flooding affecting Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon poses an urgent humanitarian crisis as millions face immediate threats to their food security, health, and shelter. The calls for substantial funding to support emergency response efforts underscore the critical needs of the affected populations. As climatic conditions worsen, the necessity for long-term recovery and adaptation strategies becomes ever more pressing.

Original Source: www.actionagainsthunger.org