This year, more than 5 million people across 16 countries in West and Central Africa have been severely affected by unprecedented floods, according to UN humanitarians.
The countries of Chad, Niger, and Nigeria have borne the brunt of the disaster, accounting for over 80 percent of those impacted, as reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The floods have resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,000 lives and displaced at least 740,000 individuals. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of homes, more than 100 schools, and several health facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Farmland covering nearly 500,000 acres has also been adversely affected, threatening local food supplies.
OCHA warned that without adequate support, the flooding could impede the reopening of schools scheduled to begin this month and worsen existing food insecurity, particularly in Chad and Niger.
\"The precarious living conditions of people affected by the floods also increase the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, which is spreading in many regions of Niger and Nigeria,\" OCHA stated.
While humanitarian partners are mobilizing to provide food and health assistance, their efforts are hampered by limited financial resources, leaving many communities vulnerable and in desperate need of support.
Reference(s):
Over 5 million people in West, Central Africa impacted by floods: UN
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