The United States has pledged $1 million in emergency aid to people affected by the unprecedented floods in Nigeria.
The United States, according to information provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the $1 million would allow local partners on ground to provide emergency shelter, supplies and hygiene items to ensure safe and healthy practices amid the ongoing natural disaster.
The US Consulate in Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the unusually heavy rains and floods have affected nearly 2.8 million people across the country, damaging or completely destroying many homes and displacing millions of people.
“Our thoughts are with the flood victims who have lost so much – livelihoods, homes and even their loved ones,” said US Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard.
At this very difficult moment, Ambassador Leonard said, “The United States continues to stand by the Nigerian people.”
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In Nigeria, where the ongoing insecurity cases has forced millions of people to flee their homes, notably in the northern area, the statement said: “The floods have aggravated an already severe humanitarian situation.
In the same region, more than 4 million people are projected to remain acutely food insecure amid the deepening global food crisis.”
“We are also concerned that prolonged flooding could increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, which reported cholera outbreaks in August and September and recorded at least 7,750 cases in 2022, Thirty-one out of 36 states have also reported cases of cholera.
USAID disaster response experts will continue to monitor the situation in close coordination with humanitarian partners and the Nigerian government to assess needs and decide whether additional assistance is needed.
Experts predict heavy rains and flooding will continue into November, due in part to climate change and inadequate drainage infrastructure.
