Since September 2022, the worst floods in a decade have affected 2.8 million people, 1.6 million of which are children, throughout Nigeria. The floods have affected 34 out of 36 states and displaced more than 1.3 million people. Over 600 people have lost their lives and over 200,000 houses have either been partially or fully damaged. Cases of diarrhea and water-borne diseases, respiratory infection, and skin diseases have been on the rise. In the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe alone, a total of 7,485 cases of cholera and 319 associated deaths were reported.
The floods are exacerbating the complex and already precarious humanitarian situation in Nigeria. Immediate priority needs for children include health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as shelter and food. Resources are required to respond to the growing needs and to sustain ongoing humanitarian interventions with a focus on the most vulnerable children and families.
UNICEF’s response and coordination with the Nigerian government has focused on three affected states – Jigawa, Niger, and Kaduna – through the provision of cash assistance, distribution of cholera kits, government-led mobile health teams, temporary learning centers and learning kits. UNICEF’s total response need is $12 million to address critical emergency and long-term response needs.
Response in numbers:
o Providing 1,590 cholera kits provided in Jigawa
o Establishing 27 temporary learning centers in flood affected communities in Jigawa
o Delivery of 5,000 cash transfers to mitigate impact in Kaduna
With your support, UNICEF can assist emergency response and long-term response needs for the most vulnerable children and families.
