Severe floods displace nearly 1m people across West Africa
Recent heavy rains and widespread flooding across Mali, Nigeria, and Niger have displaced almost 950,000 people, according to Save the Children.
This pathetic situations have raised concerns about the heightened risks of disease, food shortages, and education disruption for displaced children.
While this period typically sees significant rainfall in West Africa, this year’s rains have been more intense, causing severe flooding in 29 of Nigeria’s 36 state.
Torrential downpours have led to the overflowing of major rivers, including the Niger and Benue. In Mali, regions in the west and northeast have been hard-hit, while Niger’s flooding has devastated all eight regions, particularly the southern Maradi area.
The death toll has reached at least 460 across the three countries.
Save the Children is actively responding by providing critical support in affected regions, including food security programs, cash transfers, and hygiene services.
In Nigeria’s Adamawa state, the NGO is distributing essential items to vulnerable households, including children and the elderly.
In the broader context of the climate crisis, Save the Children is urging governments to phase out fossil fuel use and subsidies, advocating for a just transition to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
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