UNICEF Supports Families Hit by Severe Flooding in West and Central Africa

At least 500,000 people displaced, over 300,000 homes destroyed in region already reeling from multiple crises

Severe flooding across West and Central Africa has hit an estimated 4 million people so far this year, many of them children.

"Severe weather events are increasingly affecting this region, making the environment more difficult for children already facing challenges to realize their basic rights to survival, safety and education," said UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa Gilles Fagninou.

At least 500,000 people have been displaced and more than 300,000 homes destroyed and dozens of schools and health centers have been damaged across the many affected countries, UNICEF reported.

Last year’s flooding was also severe, but by comparison had affected 692,000 people in the region by this point in the year. “Even worse river flooding is forecast for later in the year, potentially adding to the misery for children and families in the region,” Faginou said.

Severe weather events are increasingly affecting this region, making the environment more difficult for children already facing challenges to realize their basic rights to survival, safety and education. — UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa Gilles Fagninou

Here is a look at what is happening in specific countries — and how UNICEF is responding to mitigate the impacts on already vulnerable children and families.

Chad

In Chad, one of the worst-hit countries, torrential rains have caused flooding throughout the country since late July, with nearly 1.5 million people affected already, 145 deaths and the destruction of 70,000 houses, according to the government.

The flooding has also destroyed bridges and roads. Wadi river valleys are full and difficult to cross, adding to the complexity of delivering aid into Sudan’s Darfur region.

UNICEF, through its more than 80 offices and sub-offices across the region, has been responding to help children and families in the areas that have been hardest hit. With ongoing cholera epidemics in the region, the risks of increased waterborne diseases affecting children is high.

The response was a rapid one. UNICEF reacted within the first 48 hours of the flooding in Chad to build latrines for 2,200 people and rehabilitate water points for 3,000 people. Essential household supplies were distributed to around 1,000 people, as well as therapeutic food for children under 5.

WASH assistance continues at two displacement camp sites in N'Djaména: 14 water taps were installed to ensure that 3,500 people have a minimum of15 liters of safe drinking water per person per day. 

UNICEF is supporting the registration of the affected people at relocation sites in collaboration with other UN agencies to ensure they are reached with assistance. UNICEF is also working with local partners to distribute supplies including tents, plastic mats, blankets, clothing and shoes.

Thousands of people have been reached through nearly two dozen awareness-raising sessions on handwashing and household water treatment and the importance of using latrines.

UNICEF and partners have also set up three child-friendly spaces where children can receive psychosocial support and adults are provided with information about children's rights, flood-related child protection risks, and the importance of children's participation in recreational and play activities to establish normalcy in times of crisis.

Mali

In Mali, the 2024 flood season started early, with significant flooding in July, mainly affecting the Segou region. Thousands of people have been displaced. Families who are forced to leave their homes are taking refuge in temporary shelters in schools and makeshift camps.

By late August, with an estimated 72,000 children affected by severe flooding across all 19 regions of the country, the government declared a State of National Disaster.

UNICEF is assisting affected families by delivering emergency supplies including malaria and cholera prevention kits; building emergency latrines while increasing community messaging around hygiene and sanitation; deploying mobile health clinics; and setting up child-friendly spaces.

While accelerating support to areas already affected by flooding, UNICEF is also strengthen preventive and contingency measures in areas that have so far been spared. Emergency supplies have been pre-positioned across the country, but more support is needed to avoid shortages.

UNICEF also helped mobilize 11,000 young people to perform sanitation improvements and flood mitigation activities in 83 villages and neighborhoods — activities such as improving urban drainage of gutters and sewers and paving streets — benefitting 440,000 people.

Nigeria

An estimated 900,000 people in have been affected by flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Many children have become separated from their families, with many losing loved ones. UNICEF is providing psychosocial support to these children to help them to cope with the trauma.

UNICEF is also distributing pre-positioned health and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) supplies to flood-hit areas while making sure children have access to vital health services — including immunizations — at clinics inside the displacement camps. 

Already 4,000 cholera prevention kits have been delivered to families in the camps and communities across Maiduguri, providing basic hygiene supplies for 240,000 people — helping to protect against the waterborne disease that can so easily spreads during flood emergencies.

With access to food and healthy diets constrained due to the floods, more children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, so UNICEF has set up support centers across all displacement camps to provide supplements that help boost nutrition and prevent malnutrition and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for children who are already suffering from acute malnutrition and require treatment. 

Another part of UNICEF's response is to work with local authorities to identify and register 5,000 households eligible for emergency cash assistance.

Related: From Dry Abuja to the Waters of Maiduguri: Firsthand Look at Flood Crisis in Nigeria

A regional response for a regional crisis: more funding needed for UNICEF aid efforts in West and Central Africa

Sixteen of the 24 countries in West and Central Africa are among the 30 countries with the biggest climate change risk for children, according to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index. UNICEF has an ongoing presence in all of them, coordinating humanitarian programs and emergency response operations through the West and Central Africa Regional Office.

Learn more about how UNICEF is responding to emergencies in West and Central Africa.

UNICEF is seeking flexible emergency funding to reach more children and families impacted by floods. Your tax-deductible contribution can help make a difference. Support UNICEF. Donate today.

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