Flooding has affected countries across the Sahel and West Africa including Chad, Niger, Mali, Nigeria and even Central African countries like Cameroon.
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The torrential rains began in late July 2024 and are expected to continue throughout the year. So far, at least 2.9 million people have been displaced by the floods.
The worst-hit countries include Chad, Niger and Mali. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes with at least 500,000 people now homeless.
In Nigeria alone, floods displaced 610,000 people and 200,000 more were affected after a dam burst near the town of Maiduguri.
More than 1,000 people have lost their lives across the region due to flooding with Chad reporting the highest number of deaths at 340 followed by Niger with 273 deaths.
In Borno, over 1 million people have been affected, according to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. Maiduguri saw around 40% of the city submerged after a dam burst leaving over 200,000 people severely impacted.
Rescue operations are ongoing but the sheer scale of the damage including collapsed bridges and destroyed infrastructure makes it difficult to reach all victims.
Schools have been closed to prioritize the emergency response, with authorities working to assess the damage to key infrastructure.
In Chad, nearly 1.5 million people have been impacted by floods since July with 145 deaths and 70,000 homes destroyed. N’Djamena is struggling to cope with the aftermath. According to Cousin Aime, a human rights activist, the government has failed to prepare adequately for the annual floods and the stalled construction of a dam only adds to the suffering.
Niger has seen over 137,000 people displaced by floods with nearly 100 deaths reported. Many of those affected have lost their homes and entire food supplies.
In Mali, the transitional government declared a state of natural disaster in response to the catastrophic flooding. Over 13,000 people in the Segou region have been displaced.
Crops like millet, corn, sorghum and rice have been particularly affected and the overall agricultural output in countries like Chad, Niger and Mali is expected to be largely reduced.
In Chad, nearly 60,000 livestock animals were drowned in the floods. The loss of these animals is a blow to many families that depend on livestock for their livelihood and sustenance.
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The damage to crops and agricultural infrastructure with impassable transport routes has caused food prices to soar in Niger and Chad. The flooding has created challenges in delivering food aid and other essentials to the affected populations.
Across the region, floods have damaged critical infrastructure including roads, bridges and transport routes that are essential for moving food, supplies and aid.
In northern Nigeria, a dam collapse near Maiduguri worsened the flood situation, displacing tens of thousands and killing over 200 people.
With other dams in the region under pressure, there are growing concerns that additional collapses could lead to even more displacement.
The floods have damaged at least 61 schools across the region, depriving thousands of children of access to education.
According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index, 16 out of 24 countries in West and Central Africa rank among the 30 nations most at risk from climate change.
This puts children in these regions at a high risk of harm from climate-related disasters such as floods and droughts, making it difficult for them to realize their basic rights to safety, survival and education.
UNICEF has been responding to the flooding across the region through its offices and sub-offices. In Chad, UNICEF provided latrines, water points and emergency household supplies to over 5,000 people.
In Mali, UNICEF set up mobile health clinics and distributed emergency items to the hardest-hit areas.
In Niger, they provided malaria kits, soap, water treatment supplies and household essentials to over 22,000 people affected by the floods. To continue supporting children and families impacted by the floods, UNICEF has called for US$6 million in emergency funding.
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