About five million (5,000,000) people in 19 countries across West and Central Africa have been hit by above-average and devastating flooding, claiming hundreds of lives, upending livelihoods, displacing tens of thousands from their homes and decimating over a million hectares of cropland in the regions.
This climate-related disaster is one of the deadliest the region has seen in years and is likely to deepen the already worrisome hunger situation in both regions.
The floods hit West Africa as world leaders prepare to meet on the climate crisis at COP27 in Egypt and highlight the urgent need to help communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis adapt, expand solutions that address loss and damage incurred during climate-related disasters, and invest in climate action in fragile contexts.
The UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) Regional Director for Western Africa, Chris Nikoi, said families in West Africa have already been pushed to the limit in the wake of conflict, the socio-economic fallout from the pandemic and skyrocketing food prices.
“These floods act as a misery multiplier and is the final straw for communities already struggling to keep their heads above water.
“WFP is on the ground helping flood-hit families get back on their feet by providing an immediate response package, while also helping to build community resilience to future shocks and pave a pathway out of this catastrophic situation,” Nikoi said.
In addition to responding to the immediate needs of flood-hit communities, the WFP is implementing an Anticipatory Action Programme that helps build the capacity of governments and partners.
This includes setting up early warning systems to better prepare for climate extremes when they take place and providing funding opportunities to avert or mitigate the impacts of imminent extreme weather events.
In August, WFP activated its Anticipatory Action in Niger, targeting 200,000 at-risk people with early warning messages and advisory information.
“Strengthening resilience and promoting climate adaptation is an essential part of anticipating climate hazards, restoring degraded ecosystems, and protecting vulnerable communities against the impact of climate extremes,” Nikoi added.
According to the WFP, a confluence of calamities already left 43 million people facing crisis and emergency (IPC/CH phases 3+4) levels of food insecurity during the June-August lean season.
The WFP is on the ground providing a three-month emergency assistance package targeting four hundred and twenty-seven thousand (427,000) flood-hit women, men and children in critically affected countries including the Central African Republic, Chad, the Gambia, Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe and Sierra Leone.
The organization is also providing post-flood response mainly targeting smallholder farmers whose crops have been destroyed.
The WFP’s emergency food assistance is provided in the form of food and cash disbursements, helping affected families meet their basic food and nutrition needs at a time when food prices are skyrocketing, already pushing basic meals out of reach for vulnerable families.
