Flood disaster in Nigeria: over 150 dead and hundreds of missing!

Flood disaster in Nigeria: over 150 dead and hundreds of missing!

In a devastating weather event in Nigeria, at least 150 people were killed after torrential rains that the city met in the center of the country last Wednesday and Thursday. The city is located near the Niger River, which has risen sharply due to the massive rain. In addition, hundreds of houses were destroyed during the floods, and two bridges have been washed away. Residents are desperately looking for their relatives in the ruins, while the military was instructed to support the search for survivors. Prime Minister Bola Tinubu announced the provision of relief goods and provisional accommodations in Mokwa. Many people were torn away by the water masses of the river, and the recovery of corpses continues downstream. Numerous people are still missing and the situation remains tense.

nigeria is particularly susceptible to floods during the rainy season from May to September. Last year over 1,200 people died from lucky flood disasters, which forced 1.2 million people to flee, who have been one of the worst in Nigeria for decades. According to [Kleine Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/newsticker/chronik/19747042/mind at the latest-150-menschen-nach-un-nigeria-died), the current situation with up to 600 confirmed deaths is even more serious.

massive effects

In the past few weeks, the floods have been caused not only in the city in the center of Nigeria, but in 34 out of 36 states of the country. According to the United Nations, over 2.5 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid, including 1.5 million children. The UN has classified the severe floods as the worst of the past ten years. Over 200,000 people have lost their home, and the number of cholera cases in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe rose to almost 7,500. In the past few weeks and a half, more than 300 cholera deaths have been registered, which exacerbates the emergency. Respiratory diseases and skin diseases also increase due to the poor hygienic conditions caused by the floods.

The population urgently needs basic aid deliveries such as tents, food, drinking water and hygiene items. This was also emphasized by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who identified climate change as an essential factor for severe floods. Nigeria occupies second place out of 163 countries in Unicef's climate risk index. This index illustrates the perspective of the country in the context of increasingly extreme weather events and the global climate crisis. Other African countries such as Chad, Sudan and South Sudan also have to deal with similar natural disasters, which underlines urgency in which aid measures are required.

The situation remains critical and the needs of the affected population are urgent. In view of the predictions for further rains in the coming weeks, the situation could continue to tighten. The international community is called to act quickly to help people in Nigeria and other regions affected by floods.