The U.S. announced it will give $1 million through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help and support the flood victims in Nigeria.
Nearly 2.8 million people nationwide have been impacted by the exceptionally severe rain and flooding that followed. Millions of individuals have also been displaced as a result of the destruction or damage to their homes.
In Nigeria, where persistent conflict, particularly in the northern area, has forced millions of people from their homes, the floods have worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, according to a statement from the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy Abuja. More than 4 million people in the same area are expected to continue to experience severe food insecurity as the global food crisis gets worse.
“We are also concerned that standing floodwaters could increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states, where cholera outbreaks were declared in August and September and at least 7,750 cases were recorded. In 2022, 31 out of 36 states reported cholera cases.”
Commenting on the development, said U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said: “We are filled with grief for the flood victims who have lost so much – livelihoods, homes, and even loved ones.
“The United States continues to stand with the people of Nigeria during this extremely difficult time.”
The $1 million in new USAID support will allow local partners on the ground to provide emergency shelter assistance, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices amid the ongoing cholera outbreak, and multipurpose cash assistance for people impacted by the devastating floods.
As experts expect heavy rainfall and flooding to continue through November, due in part to climate change and insufficient drainage infrastructure, USAID disaster experts will continue monitoring the situation in close coordination with humanitarian partners and the Government of Nigeria to assess needs and determine if additional assistance is required.
The United States maintains a long history of providing humanitarian assistance across the country. In 2022, USAID provided more than $356 million in humanitarian assistance to people most affected by conflict and food insecurity in Nigeria. This life-saving assistance is in addition to USAID’s annual $539 million development budget for Nigeria that supports economic growth, health, democratic governance, and education.