Inundating rains have unleashed a wave of flooding and destruction across various cities and towns in West and Central Africa, affecting millions of lives. This deluge has ignited humanitarian emergencies in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Mali, Ghana, and Liberia, with a staggering estimate of four million individuals, most of whom are children, caught in the turmoil.
Borno State, located in northeastern Nigeria, has particularly borne the brunt of this crisis, impacting over a million residents. Meanwhile, Chad has faced relentless downpours since July, leading to the plight of approximately 1.5 million people—145 lives tragically lost and around 70,000 homes reduced to rubble, as reported by officials. In Niger, over 137,000 people have been uprooted due to flooding since August, with close to 100 fatalities registered. In a bid to address the calamity, the transitional government of Mali has proclaimed a natural disaster to enhance food security and extend aid to the families grappling with the aftermath of the floods.
The United Nations has issued a stern warning, indicating that further inundation is likely in these two regions in the upcoming months. UNICEF has calculated that an urgent fund of $6 million is required to assist children and families affected by the floods in West and Central Africa.
