The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued an urgent appeal for $10.6 million in emergency funding to support 228,000 displaced individuals and the communities hosting them across West and Central Africa, where intense climate-related floods have recently displaced thousands and impacted over 5.1 million people. Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mali have experienced unprecedented flooding, with communities left vulnerable to food insecurity, health crises, and shelter shortages in the aftermath of the disaster. The need for support remains critical, with UNHCR and its partners working tirelessly to address these challenges as the repercussions of the climate crisis compound existing regional vulnerabilities.
In Chad alone, nearly 1.9 million people have been affected, with 1.4 million impacted in Niger, 1.2 million in Nigeria, and 365,000 and 260,000 people impacted in Cameroon and Mali, respectively. The scale of devastation highlights the urgency of UNHCR’s appeal as the agency seeks to provide life-saving shelter, essential relief supplies, and protection for those affected. Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, emphasized that “without additional resources, critical needs will go unmet, further increasing the vulnerability of those impacted.” The response aims to deliver immediate aid alongside sustainable support initiatives to help both displaced populations and host communities regain stability amidst the ongoing crisis.
[코리안 투데이] The flood-affected area in Africa ©이지윤 기자
This year’s unprecedented rainfall and severe floods underscore the escalating impact of the climate crisis, particularly in regions already hosting large numbers of people displaced by conflict and insecurity. Since 2019, the number of forcibly displaced individuals across West and Central Africa has doubled to approximately 14 million, creating a complex and overlapping crisis that challenges regional resilience and response capabilities. UNHCR’s appeal aligns with a broader recognition of the need for climate resilience, as worsening weather patterns predict more severe events in the years to come. In response, UNHCR declared an emergency for Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mali in September 2024 to accelerate preparedness and support measures for these areas.
In the coming weeks, UNHCR will present a landmark report on the interconnection between climate change, conflict, and displacement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku. The report is expected to underscore the urgent necessity for adaptive and preventive solutions in light of the growing climate emergency, particularly as it affects displaced communities worldwide. With global attention on climate resilience and humanitarian response, UNHCR continues to highlight the urgent, multidimensional needs of vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa and beyond.
