Far North: Floods threaten schooling of 74, 000 children - UNICEF.

According to UNICEF, with the start of the new school year, the education of thousands of children might be jeopardised due to persistent floods.

The organisation added that the worsening floods add to repeated Boko Haram incursions that have displaced many from their communities.

The orgnisation, in its release, said affected areas are Logone and Chari, Mayo-Sava, Mayo-Danay, Mayo-Tsanaga and Diamaré Divisions. 

UNICEF indicated that the administrative units have recorded excessive rainfall of between 105 and 145 percent of the seasonal average, citing reports released in August.

According to UNICEF, the loss of educational infrastructure has been particularly devastating. 

“As at September 2, 194 schools were flooded, making it impossible for more than 74,000 children to return to school,” the report stated.

UNICEF regretted that school buildings have been turned into temporary shelters for displaced families, further complicating efforts to restore education in the Far North Region. 

The situation, the international organisation further said, comes at a critical time when children are returning to school.

According to the report, the impact of the floods on communities has been extensive, with a total of 158,620 people from 18,970 households severely affected. 

Flood-related fatalities have been relatively low, with at least seven people reported dead and eight injured. The bigger lost has been on infrastructure and livelihoods.

The report further indicated that close to 3,000 hectares of farmland has been destroyed. This, UNICEF stated, poses the challenge of food security.

The UNICEF report further highlighted the difficult living conditions many families now face in the Far North Region. 

“Several households have been displaced, seeking refuge in schools, open spaces, or partially damaged buildings,” the report indicated.

The same report indicated that due to floods, “homes have been rendered uninhabitable,” with some families “relying on the goodwill of others in the area, crowding together under harsh conditions”.

Children, vulnerable at greater risk

According to UNICEF, the situation might worsen in the coming weeks, as continuous rains combined with rising river levels could lead to an escalation of the situation. 

UNICEF warned that between 463,000 and 600,000 people may be affected this year by flooding in the Far North and North Regions, with up to 336,000 of them being children. 

This, the body decried, would not only disrupt education but also exacerbate the already challenging conditions for vulnerable populations, including refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

The body has equally called for urgent action to provide relief to affected populations, through emergency support, including temporary learning spaces for pupils and students, as well as food, water, and shelter for displaced families. 

Enter NOCC predictions

To note that floods in this part of the country are not completely new or surprising. The National Observatory on Climate Change NOCC, had through its weekly bulletin of climate forecasts and alerts previously issued several warning reports. 

It had informed local authorities and residents of the likelihood of heavy rainfall, violent winds, and other extreme weather events. 

NOCC had also talked of heavy rainfall, ranging from 40 milimeters to 108 millimeters. It had also urged authorities to prepare for emergency situations.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3226 of Wednesday September 11, 2024