The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is urgently requesting $10.6 million to assist 228,000 individuals displaced by severe flooding in West and Central Africa. The climate crisis has intensified existing vulnerabilities, resulting in new waves of displacement in regions already burdened by conflict and insecurity.
Recent climate-induced torrential rains and floods have affected over 5.1 million people in the region, with Chad seeing approximately 1.9 million individuals impacted. Niger follows closely with 1.4 million affected, while Nigeria reports 1.2 million. Cameroon and Mali are also facing significant challenges, with 365,000 and 260,000 affected respectively. The repercussions of this flooding are expected to extend beyond the current rainy season, worsening the conditions for already vulnerable communities.
The requested funding is crucial for providing life-saving support, including protection, shelter, emergency relief items, and enhancing preparedness activities.
“UNHCR and its partners are aligned with government response plans to deliver immediate aid and long-term support to displaced populations and their host communities. However, without additional resources, critical needs will remain unmet, further increasing vulnerability among those affected,” stated Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa.
The climate crisis is further complicating existing challenges and triggering additional displacement in areas that already host large numbers of individuals uprooted by conflict.
Currently, 14 million people across West and Central Africa have been forcibly displaced, a figure that has doubled since 2019. This complex situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience and humanitarian assistance to protect the most vulnerable populations.
In light of the extensive impact of flooding and the rising humanitarian needs, UNHCR declared an emergency in September 2024 for Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Mali to strengthen preparedness and response efforts in these regions. Additionally, UNHCR plans to release its inaugural report examining the connections between conflict, climate change, and displacement during the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.