Dikwa, Borno State – Every rainy season, displaced families in Dikwa in the Borno State of Nigeria face renewed flood threats — a challenge highlighted in ReliefWeb’s coverage of floods and the humanitarian response in Nigeria.
To address this, Deltares and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) developed new flood hazard models to assess current and future risks. Using KoBoToolbox, IOM field teams mapped drainage systems and past flood events, helping experts simulate flood depths and design cost-effective drainage improvements for camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs).
From Research to Action
Completed earlier this year, the project’s outcomes are shared through an interactive dashboard and storymap, which visualize flood impacts under various return periods and drainage scenarios. These tools show how clearing blocked drains or constructing new channels can drastically reduce flood risks.
While the 2025 wet season has so far been mild, the project’s findings have already informed anticipatory action planning.
“One key lesson — clearing blocked drainage channels inside the camps — has enhanced internal water flow and reduced flood risks,” flood researcher Taiwo Ogunwumi noted.
Building a Safer Future
For Ogunwumi, who has long worked on humanitarian programmes in North-East Nigeria, the effort connects technology with preparedness. “This work helps prevent disasters before they happen,” he said, echoing the broader ReliefWeb mission to use knowledge to strengthen humanitarian response worldwide.