FLOODS in West and Central Africa had devastated communities, destroyed homes and infrastructure and heightened protection risks for the most vulnerable, severely affecting forcibly displaced populations who were already living in precarious conditions, according to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
William Spindler, a UNHCR spokesperson, said many of the displaced were now sheltering in overcrowded and makeshift locations with limited access to essential services. “Considering the effects of climate change, worsening food insecurity, and the increased risk of waterborne diseases, it was vital to ensure that the needs of refugees and internally displaced people were not overlooked,” Spindler said.
He said in Nigeria, severe floods had swept through 29 of 36 states, affecting over 600,000 people. At least 200 people have died and over 225,000 have been displaced, including many who had already been uprooted by conflict and climate change. The destruction of over 115,000 hectares of farmland could worsen the food insecurity situation at a time when 32 million people in the country were already facing acute hunger. UNHCR and its partners were distributing 10,000 tarpaulin sheets to the most severely impacted displaced people in some of the hardest-hit states. Unfortunately, funding shortages were making it difficult to assist additional communities in need.
Spindler said all 23 provinces of Chad had been impacted by flooding since July. More than 964,000 people were affected by the floods as of 25 August. Refugee communities in eastern Chad were particularly vulnerable, with more than 40,000 refugees affected. So far, 145 people had died, over 251,000 hectares of land had been submerged, more than 70,000 houses had been destroyed, and 29,000 heads of livestock had perished.
In Cameroon, between 11 and 21 August, torrential rains destroyed more than 8,600 homes, flooded thousands of hectares of farmland and crops, and caused the loss of thousands of animals. Almost 19,000 households, some 159,000 people, were affected, including almost 50,000 refugees. Local authorities and humanitarian partners were putting in place emergency response plans but faced access difficulties and the growing risk of epidemics.
In Niger, severe flooding triggered by heavy rains had caused widespread destruction, particularly in regions that were home to significant numbers of displaced people. Since the onset of the rains in July, over 217 people had died, and more than 700,000 have been affected. Access to areas where refugees were settled had been compromised, prompting the army to evaluate alternative routes for relief efforts. UNHCR had mobilised resources to support those affected and was distributing 3,000 essential relief kits.
Spindler said: “Across the region, displaced families, including refugees and internally displaced persons, were facing a catastrophic situation due to the compounding effects of conflict, climate change, and now devastating floods. They needed emergency shelter, food, water and medical care immediately.”
He added that UNHCR’s funding appeal for Western and Central Africa amounted to 1.11 billion United States dollars. It aimed to help over 13 million forcibly displaced people, including 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers and 8.2 million internally displaced people. So far, the appeal has only received 11 percent funding.
