West Africa

The floods currently impacting Central and West Africa have already affected more than 700,000 individuals, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This severe situation follows torrential rains that have struck the region just two months into the rainy season. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, expressed concern during a press conference: “The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is troubled by the flooding in the region, which has impacted over 700,000 people across the Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and Togo.” In response to the disaster, the United Nations, in partnership with various organizations, has ramped up aid to the affected countries. This support includes food distribution, shelter, and water and sanitation services. Additionally, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $10 million this year to Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Niger to help mitigate the impacts of climate-related shocks, including ongoing floods threatening millions across sub-Saharan Africa.