CLIMATE WATCH: 2.5 million Nigerians in need of humanitarian assistance, says UNICEF

Despite directly impacting our communities, health and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken towards limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• Sulieman Adamu, minister of water resources, has been criticized by Nigerians for saying the recent flood “is an act of God”. In response to this, Nigerians took to Twitter to express their disappointment. Chijioke Nwosu, a Twitter user, said: “How convenient to blame God for your administration’s failure to adequately prepare for what had already been predicted. And no, God isn’t responsible for the floods.” Immanuel, another Twitter user, said: “They’ll never take responsibility. Never, act of God, like in the days of Noah or what. Shebi International body don donate money, una don cash out.”

How convenient to blame God for your administration's failure to adequately prepare for what had already been predicted. And no, God isn't responsible for the floods.

— Chijioke Nwosu (@CJ_Nwosu) October 20, 2022

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• Additionally, Adamu said Nigeria could employ engineering solutions for the floods but the country’s “economic levels” are not sufficient. He said this is the reason such solutions have not been implemented. Also, Adamu said 80 percent of the floods are caused by rainfall and not Cameroon’s Lagdo dam, as widely believed. Find out more here and here.

• As many communities in Bayelsa remain submerged by the recent floods, residents of Otuoke, Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa, have said their lives are being threatened by thieves and reptiles. Duoye Diri, the state governor, complained that the state is under attack from the natural disaster. Also, the state declared a one-week work break for public servants as the floods damaged critical infrastructure like hospitals, roads, bridges and schools across different LGAs. Find out more here and here.

• Over 1.5 million Nigerian children are at risk of waterborne diseases, malnutrition and drowning following the recent floods. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) made this known.  According to UNICEF, out of the 2.5 million people in Nigeria who need humanitarian assistance — 60 percent are children. The United Nations (UN) has called on the international community to help Nigeria to tackle flooding. Similarly, the UN has called for support from developing countries to help Nigeria adapt. Read here and here.

• Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will begin a tour of states impacted by flooding on Tuesday, October 25. Paul Ibe, his media adviser, said the tour will provide the presidential candidate “the opportunity to have an on-sight impact assessment of these flooding incidents and give him a veritable window to input those ecological concerns in his policy documents”. Read on here.

• In a bid to abate fears over flooding that may arise from the opening of the Oyan dam, the Lagos government has said there is no need for residents to panic. Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos commissioner for information, told TheCable that “there is no need to panic”, adding that the circular on imminent flood was issued over a month ago. Find out more here.

• As Nigeria continues to receive condolence messages due to the devastating flood, King Charles III, the British monarch, has condoled with the country saying he is “deeply saddened” about the situation. He sympathised with victims, adding that his thoughts are with those working to support the recovery efforts. Read more here.

• As an aid to flood victims, the United States through its humanitarian agency pledged $1 million to assist Nigeria in providing support to people affected. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said the recent floods have made the already critical situations of conflict and food insecurity worse, adding that it could also lead to a major health crisis. Find out more here.