Flooding pushes 4.1m into severe food shortage range across 34 states
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Floods have affected more than 3.2 million with 1.4 million displaced and more than 600 killed this year in Nigeria, its worst deluge in a decade, according to figures compiled by the United Nations.
The UN said recent flooding that ravaged 34 states can increase waterborne diseases with 4.1 million people at risk of severe food shortage and 1.74 million children under five projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2022.
The figures are contained in the Nigerian Situation Report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The number of people affected by widespread flooding across Nigeria has risen to over 3.2 million, with over 600 fatalities. Over 1.4 million people are displaced.
“14,000 people have been affected by cholera in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States since January, with 443 deaths,” the report said.
“Recent flooding increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera. 4.1 million people face severe food insecurity this lean season, and 1.74 million children under 5 are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
UNICEF donates N230.7m relief materials to Jigawa flood victims
IMF warns of flood worsening food insecurity, stoking food prices
Nigeria gets $1m US donation to combat ravaging floods
__________________________________________________________________
Nigeria’s worst flood in a decade
“Nigeria is experiencing the worst flooding the country has seen in a decade. More than 3.2 million people have been affected,” the UN said, per The PUNCH.
“The flooding has impacted 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The flooding is projected to have a devastating impact on food security.
“In a country where 19.5 million people are facing severe food insecurity, over 569,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed or damaged ahead of the October harvest season.
“The damage to staple foods such as cassava, rice, and plantain among other crops has taken away both essential food sources and important means of livelihood.”
The UN said vulnerable people would need immediate humanitarian assistance to survive as the waters recede.
Tinubu donates N40m to Edo flood victims
All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu has donated N40 million to people displaced by flood in Edo where about 32,893 were affected in Etsako Central, Etsako East, and Esan South East Councils.
Former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole presented the money on Tinubu’s behalf at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Oghomere in Etsako Central.
“Tinubu wanted to come by himself the other time, but the helicopters he wanted to use had problems and couldn’t come.
“But because of the need to help people affected by the flood in the state, he said I should donate N40 million to them,” Oshiomhole recounted.
