Heavy rains in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria have caused the worst flooding in 30 years, affecting at least 239,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands of children without shelter, clean water, food, healthcare, and education. The situation is dire, with children and families still trapped in their homes and efforts being made to rescue them.
Humanitarian at Save the Children in Nigeria, described the situation as "terrible" and said that half of the town has been submerged, making roads impassable. Two main hospitals are flooded, and stabilisation centres have been forced to suspend operations, increasing the risk of water-and vector-borne diseases. Schools have also been suspended for two weeks, disrupting children's education.
Save the Children is working to deliver food assistance and other critical supplies to camps where people are sheltering. However, the needs are huge, and children and families desperately need urgent support from donors and the government to coordinate a proper response.
Save the Children is conducting a needs assessment and plans to respond with cash assistance, health and nutrition outreach services, rehabilitation of sanitation facilities, and conduct hygiene promotion and community awareness raising, as well as child protection and mental health support to children and caregivers.
