The worst-affected countries included Chad, where nearly 2 million people had been impacted, followed by Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon, which are also facing severe displacement and damage to essential services. The flooding had exacerbated public health risks, including a surge in cholera cases, and has disproportionately affected women and girls, who had faced increased risks of gender-based violence (GBV), miscarriages, and other health complications. Urgent needs included food, healthcare, GBV prevention and response, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.

In response, UNFPA deployed mobile clinics, distributing life-saving medical supplies, and offering integrated SRH and GBV services across the affected regions. In Cameroon, UNFPA had adapted programs in flood-hit areas, providing antenatal care to over 800 women and assisting in more than 570 births. UNFPA had also distributed dignity kits and coordinated with local governments to expand services. In Chad, 248 midwives had been deployed to support SRH/GBV services, with over 11,000 dignity kits distributed. UNFPA in Mali had provided clean delivery kits and mobile health services to over 1,600 women and girls, while Niger had distributed dignity kits and food supplies to pregnant women in hard-hit regions like Maradi. Additionally, UNFPA Nigeria was addressing the needs of displaced populations by providing comprehensive GBV and SRH services to over 90,000 people, including prenatal care and mental health support.

UNFPA urgently needed $7.8 million to continue providing life-saving assistance to flood-affected populations across the region. With increased funding, UNFPA could ensure that women and girls have access to essential SRH and GBV services, safeguarding their health and well-being amid this ongoing crisis.

Elsewhere more than four million people had been affected in 14 countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Mali and Niger. At least 1,000 people had died in the rainy season so far, and nearly one million people have been forced to flee their homes.

While this is typically the rainy season in this part of the world, these rains are unusually heavy and, in some cases, the worst floods in 30 years.

The floods worsened pre-existing conditions in many affected countries, including poverty, hunger and malnutrition, instability, conflict and lack of employment and educational opportunities.

Guest Editorial