Torrential rains have unleashed catastrophic floods in West and Central Africa, affecting over four million people in 14 countries – the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warns. The worrying spike in humanitarian needs comes amid a regional hunger crisis already affecting 55 million people – four times more people than five years ago.
 |
| Maiduguri metropolis severely flooded following collapse of Alau Dam caused by heavy rain |
National governments are on the frontlines of this crisis, with WFP’s support providing critical food and nutrition assistance to nearly one million people across the region.
“Fourteen countries are seeing rising floodwaters, thousands of homes crumbling, large swathes of farmland destroyed, as hunger looms large. A regional crisis of this nature needs a regional response to urgently save lives and safeguard the livelihoods of flood-hit groups. WFP is working with national governments in the region to ensure affected people can get back on their feet,” said Margot Van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa.
In Nigeria’s Maiduguri, WFP rapidly set up food kitchens in four camps after flooding overran 50 percent of the town. WFP kitchens provide nutritious cooked rice and beans to flood-affected families forced to flee their homes. In Chad, Liberia, Mali, and Niger, WFP is providing emergency food and cash assistance to people in hard-hit areas. This crucial assistance enables affected families to meet their basic food and nutrition needs while they try to rebuild their lives. wfp.org
