Humanitarian Crisis in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon: Millions Impacted by Severe Flooding
Severe flooding has affected over 2.7 million people in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon due to torrential rains, leading to widespread destruction, including over 210,000 homes and 880,000 acres of farmland in Chad. The crisis poses additional risks of hunger and displacement, prompting Action Against Hunger to appeal for urgently needed funding to assist vulnerable populations facing critical needs.
In Central and East Africa, severe flooding has emerged as a critical humanitarian crisis, affecting over 2.7 million individuals, with particularly devastating impacts felt in Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. In Chad alone, approximately 1.7 million people are grappling with the aftermath of torrential rains that began in late July, leading to significant loss of life and destruction of property. The floods have resulted in more than 500 fatalities, while over 210,000 homes and 880,000 acres of farmland have been inundated. This disaster threatens to exacerbate hunger in a nation where 3.4 million individuals are already classified as acutely food insecure. Action Against Hunger is urgently appealing for nearly $100 million to support those in urgent need, of which only 10% has thus far been raised. Furthermore, the flooding in Nigeria has severely impacted various states including Borno and Adamawa, leaving tens of thousands without shelter or food. With over 32 million residents already facing significant food insecurity prior to the flooding, the situation remains dire, particularly following the inundation of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, affecting around 414,000 individuals. In Cameroon, flooding has likewise threatened livelihoods, with 236,000 people impacted and over 30,000 acres of crops destroyed. The infrastructure collapse poses additional risks for displacement and the spread of waterborne diseases. Country Directors in the affected regions have underscored the urgent need for humanitarian intervention, emphasizing that immediate assistance is essential not only for survival but also for community recovery and adaptation to ongoing climate changes. In response to these calamities, Action Against Hunger maintains its commitment to support nutrition, health, water, hygiene, sanitation, and food security initiatives across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Through dedicated efforts since 1981 in Chad, 2009 in Nigeria, and 2013 in Cameroon, the organization has sought to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters on vulnerable populations.
Recent severe flooding across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon has intensified the ongoing humanitarian crises in these regions, predominantly triggered by climate-related events. With millions already facing food and water insecurity, the flooding is expected to worsen these conditions. Action Against Hunger has been at the forefront, responding to the immediate needs arising from the flooding while also highlighting the long-term consequences of the climate crisis and the necessity for swift global support to prevent widespread hunger and illness.
The current flooding crisis has tragically underscored the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. The urgent need for humanitarian assistance is amplified by pre-existing food insecurity, environmental degradation, and infrastructural damage. Action Against Hunger’s operational efforts are pivotal to assist affected communities in both immediate recovery and long-term resilience against similar future events.
Original Source: www.actionagainsthunger.org
