From Umar Dankano, Yola
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced increased humanitarian support for flood victims and humanitarian organizations across four West African countries affected by severe flooding.
In a press release issued by ICRC Abuja’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Dawobe, the ICRC emphasized the urgency of providing relief to hundreds of thousands of people affected by torrential rains in the region. The flooding has displaced large populations in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, resulting in hundreds of deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure.
Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s Director for Africa, noted that the organization’s teams, stationed in these countries, have direct knowledge of the impact of natural and human-made disasters, allowing them to effectively support affected communities.
“These severe floods add a complicating layer to a region where conflict and violence already make life fragile for thousands of families,” Youssef said. “Our teams see first-hand how life in vulnerable communities is made so much harder when violence and climate shocks combine.”
Youssef praised the commitment and professionalism of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement volunteers, acknowledging that their efforts allow the ICRC to reach areas that government agencies and other humanitarian organizations sometimes cannot access. He added that ICRC forensic experts continue to work with authorities to manage the dignified handling of the dead.
In Nigeria, the ICRC has partnered with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) to support over 414,000 people affected by the breach of Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, on September 10, 2024. The NRCS played a crucial role in search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and family reunifications, as well as ensuring the dignified management of deceased bodies.
The ICRC’s support included the donation of 150 body bags to NRCS and hospitals. Their teams have recovered 22 bodies, reunited 76 children with their families, and evacuated 117 individuals from four flood-affected medical facilities.
Psychosocial support sessions were also organized for NRCS staff and volunteers involved in the flood response. Additionally, the ICRC is set to distribute essential household items such as mats, blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen kits, mosquito nets, buckets, jerry cans, soap, hygiene kits, and loincloths to affected households.
The press release further stated that similar assistance has been extended to Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, where floodwaters have destroyed homes, farmlands, and infrastructure. Malaria treatment centers have also been established in these flood-hit communities.