Lasting floods in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone

Due to heavy seasonal rain falls within the last months, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone have been affected by floods. Overall more than 300,000 people have been impacted and 39 casualties reported. 

Since August 30, approximately 206,000 people in Nigeria have been affected by floods in Adamawa State. The floods were triggered by spillage due to damage at the Dadin Kowa dam in Gombe State, which in turn caused an overflow at Kiri Dam located downstream in Adamawa State. Further heavy rainfall worsened the flooding. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been responsible for the response, humanitarian partners conducted rapid assessments in five Local Government Areas focusing on shelter, food security, sanitation, health and education. 

Since the beginning of the rainy season in June, floods and strong winds affected eight regions of Burkina Faso. Numbers for September counted eight casualties, 54 people wounded and further 28,781 people affected by floods and winds. Around 40% of the affected people are children. More than 2,428 people have been displaced, finding shelter in schools.

In the same time Niger experienced heavy rain and strong winds, affecting 52,000 people; causing 22 casualties and displacing further 7,450 people. Overall 5,019 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, notably in the region of Zinder. 

Heavy rainfall and flooding as well affected the capital of Sierra Leone Freetown, causing 9 casualties and severe damages on buildings and homes. On 25 September, 14,423 people were displaced, finding shelter in Siaka National Stadium and Atuga Stadium. Humanitarian partners provided assistance, delivering food rations, water and hygiene kits, as well as malnutrition screening for children.