The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has raised alarm over the escalating floods in Nigeria, which is having a negative effect on food security in the country.
Aside from the risk of food insecurity the area is also on high alert for outbreaks of diseases including cholera, malaria, and typhoid as well as animal and zoonotic diseases.
These floods, which have affected 29 states, are displacing thousands, destroying farmlands and claiming lives.
As of early September, more than 2.5 million people have been impacted, with around 200 000 displaced.
The FAO Representative ad interim, to Nigeria and the ECOWAS Koffy Kouacou says it is concerned about the potential increase in hunger, as nearly 31.8 million Nigerians are already at risk of acute food insecurity.
‘The floods continue to push vulnerable communities deeper into poverty, and the widespread loss of farmland will severely affect food security. Urgent coordinated action is needed to avert a worsening humanitarian disaste
r,’
According to him as at 10th September 2024, FAO had recorded 1.3 million hectares (ha) of land submerged, including 558 000 ha of cropland across the country.
‘Enhanced infrastructure, improved early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms are crucial to addressing the crisis and building long-term resilience,’ Kouacou emphasized.
He further stated that the upcoming October-November 2024 analysis of the Cadre Harmonisé will further quantify the floods’ impact on food security and nutrition in Nigeria and the region.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that the northeast and west are at imminent risk of further flooding.
States most at risk include Borno, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
IMPACT OF FLOODS ON NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, where FAO has a strong presence, have been particularly hard hit. Some 880 000 people have been affected in the three states and nearly 300 000 ha of farmland have
been destroyed.
Following the collapse of the Alau dam in Konduga Local Government Areas (LGA) of Borno state on 10 September floods affected an estimated 50 percent of Maiduguri metropolis.
The floods have disrupted access to essential services, including hospitals, schools, and markets, with significant damage to infrastructure, including bridges.
Evacuations from high-risk areas are underway. Authorities in the state have identified eight centers to temporarily settle the evacuees.
ONGOING COORDINATION AND RESPONSE
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (UN-OCHA) is leading the response on behalf of partners to support government authorities.
The FAO, through OCHA, is supporting the NEMA and SEMA to assess the immediate needs and affected communities. In Maiduguri, efforts are ongoing to assist victims of the floods including reopening of eight IDP camps, distribution of food and essential non-food items.
FAO’S CALL FOR ASSISTANCE
FAO is urging immediate and flexibl
e funding to support ongoing humanitarian response and early recovery efforts, including food and non-food items.
The organisation is also working closely with local authorities to assess the impacts of the floods on agricultural assets and livelihoods while strengthening early warning systems.
Source: Voice of Nigeria