Azimi Abubakar, 50, a resident of Gasamu, wades through the floodwater in Jakusko LGA of Yobe State, Nigeria (File photo).
By Our reporter, Nigeria
Heavy rains have unleashed widespread flooding across West and Central Africa, destroying cities and towns and affecting millions of people. The catastrophe has triggered a humanitarian crisis, impacting communities in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Mali, Ghana, and Liberia. The majority of those affected are children, who now face severe threats to their safety, health, and well-being.
In northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State alone, over a million people have been affected by the floods. Torrential rains in Chad, which have persisted since July, have devastated nearly 1.5 million people, resulting in 145 reported deaths and the destruction of approximately 70,000 homes, according to government reports.
The situation in Niger is similarly dire, with more than 137,000 people displaced by the floods since August, and close to 100 lives lost. Meanwhile, in Mali, the transitional government has declared a state of natural disaster, aiming to strengthen food security and provide much-needed support to families grappling with the devastation.
The flooding, which has caused untold suffering, is not over. The United Nations has issued a grim warning that more flooding is expected in both sub-regions in the coming months. As communities brace for further hardship, international aid is critical. UNICEF estimates that at least $6 million in emergency funding is urgently needed to support flood-affected children and families across West and Central Africa.
The scale of the crisis continues to grow, with millions in desperate need of shelter, food, and medical assistance. The world watches as nations across the region scramble to respond to one of the worst flood crises in recent history.
Source: AllAfrica