Recent flooding in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon has affected over 2.7 million people, causing widespread destruction of homes and crops, with calls for urgent humanitarian aid. Chad is experiencing severe food insecurity, with 3.4 million people already in need. Nigeria and Cameroon also report significant impacts and infrastructure damage. Key figures from Action Against Hunger stress the need for immediate action and funding.
In Central and East Africa, extensive flooding resulting from unprecedented rainfall has severely affected over 2.7 million people, with major impacts felt in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Chad has been particularly hard hit, with approximately 1.7 million individuals affected, while Nigeria reports around one million affected and Cameroon more than 230,000. The devastation includes significant damage to homes and agriculture, which is anticipated to increase hunger and food insecurity in these already vulnerable populations. In Chad, flooding has been ongoing since late July, impacting areas such as Lac, Mayo-Kebbi Est, and Mandoul provinces. The floods have led to the deaths of over 500 individuals, inundated 210,000 homes, destroyed 880,000 acres of crops, and decimated nearly 70,000 livestock. This situation poses dire food security risks for the 3.4 million people already suffering from acute hunger. Gusatve Gnagny, Action Against Hunger’s Country Director in Chad, stated, “The affected populations are facing critical needs for food, drinking water, shelter, health and protection.” The estimated funds needed for relief efforts in Chad total nearly $100 million, yet only a fraction of that has been secured. In Nigeria, the states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, among others, have experienced devastating floods, displacing many individuals and rendering them homeless. Prior to this crisis, over 32 million Nigerians were already confronting severe food scarcity. The floods inundated 50% of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, affecting more than 414,000 residents. Thierno Samba Diallo, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Nigeria, emphasized that “The floods have damaged over 300,000 acres of farmland in Nigeria,” predicting that this would worsen food insecurity during the current lean season and beyond. Cameroon faces a similar crisis, especially in the Far-North region where flooding has impacted 236,000 people and destroyed over 30,000 acres of agricultural land. Concerns about waterborne diseases are rising, coupled with infrastructure damage that complicates the humanitarian response. Pascal Maillard, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Cameroon, stressed the urgency of these needs saying, “The priority needs are food, shelter and essential household items, as well as access to water, hygiene and sanitation.” The climate crisis has exacerbated these circumstances, resulting in repeated and increasingly severe climatic shocks that devastate crops, livestock, and livelihoods in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Action Against Hunger has been providing crucial assistance in Chad since 1981, Nigeria since 2009, and Cameroon since 2013, focusing on nutrition, health, sanitation, and food security initiatives. Raising awareness and soliciting funding for humanitarian aid are critical in addressing the urgent requirements of those affected by this devastating situation.
The article highlights the severe impact of recent flooding across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis facing millions due to climate-induced weather extremes. The flooding events are linked to broader trends of climate change, which exacerbate food insecurity and health risks within vulnerable communities, already grappling with high rates of hunger and resource scarcity. The ongoing crisis calls for immediate international attention and funding, as local infrastructural damage jeopardizes recovery efforts and increases the risk of disease transmission.
In conclusion, the flooding across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon represents a significant humanitarian emergency impacting millions and exacerbating food insecurity. The urgent call for humanitarian aid and funds is crucial to address immediate needs for shelter, food, and water. As climatic shocks continue to threaten the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, a concerted response from the international community is imperative to mitigate the repercussions of this disaster and support recovery efforts.
Original Source: www.actionagainsthunger.org
