Flooding in Nigeria: A Crisis of Life and Food Security
Severe flooding in Nigeria has claimed nearly 200 lives and displaced over 208,000 residents, devastating farmlands and raising food security issues, particularly in the northern region. The floods have been attributed to poor infrastructure and human activities, with predictions of worsening conditions in the forthcoming weeks. Nigeria is facing a humanitarian crisis with 32 million individuals reported to be experiencing acute hunger.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Flooding across Nigeria has resulted in the tragic loss of almost 200 lives and the destruction of farmlands, intensifying grave concerns regarding food security in the nation, particularly within the northern region that has been severely affected. The latest report from the National Emergency Management Agency reveals that the floods, attributed to inadequate infrastructure and poorly maintained dams, have killed 185 individuals and displaced over 208,000 residents across 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states. These developments have prompted urgent measures to relocate countless individuals to temporary shelters. Annually, Nigeria faces flooding issues primarily due to the neglect of environmental protocols and insufficient infrastructure. The catastrophic floods of 2022 were the most severe in a decade, leading to the deaths of over 600 people and displacing more than 1 million citizens. However, this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has indicated that the current flooding is less a result of excessive rainfall and more a consequence of human actions. Ibrahim Wasiu Adeniyi, head of the central forecasting unit, stated, “What we are doing is causing this climate change so there is a shift from the normal. We have some who dump refuse indiscriminately, some build houses without approvals along the waterways.” The National Emergency Management Agency forecasts that the situation may worsen in the upcoming weeks as floodwaters are expected to continue descending into central and southern states. Spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel urged, “People (in flood-prone areas) need to evacuate now … because we don’t have time any longer.” Jigawa state, experiencing the most destructive impact, has recorded 37 fatalities, with authorities repurposing public buildings and schools for use as shelters for the displaced individuals. The floods have devastated approximately 107,000 hectares of farmland, predominantly in northern states, which play a crucial role in Nigeria’s agricultural output. Farmers in these regions face compounded difficulties, not only from the flooding but also due to economic struggles and violent assaults forcing them from their lands. Consequently, Nigeria now holds the somber distinction of hosting the highest number of hungry individuals globally, with the United Nations food agency reporting that 32 million people, representing about 10% of the world’s acute hunger burden, are currently facing starvation within the country. Zamfara state resident Abdullahi Gummi lamented the devastation of his family’s agricultural livelihood, stating, “We spent around 300,000 naira ($188) on planting, but everything is gone.”
The recurrent flooding in Nigeria highlights systemic issues within the country, particularly concerning inadequate infrastructure, failure to heed environmental protocols, and the impacts of climate change driven by human activities. These floods have not only prompted humanitarian crises but have also exacerbated food insecurity in a nation already struggling with economic hardships. Understanding these backgrounds is key to evaluating the broader implications of the floods on citizen welfare and agricultural productivity, especially in the northern regions where most of the nation’s food is cultivated.
In summary, the devastating floods in Nigeria have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction of agricultural lands, leading to urgent food security concerns. The tragedy exemplifies the urgent need for improved infrastructure, adherence to environmental guidelines, and effective disaster management. The combination of current floods and persistent economic challenges highlights the dire state of food security in Nigeria, demanding immediate attention from both national authorities and international organizations.
Original Source: apnews.com
