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HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW
Floods are a recurrent phenomenon in Cameroon, mostly impacting the Far North and the Littoral Regions. Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of these floods.
In 2024, rainfall, and consequently the potential for flooding, was forecasted to be 25 per cent higher than the historical average for the period from July to September in the North and Far North Regions. As of early August, most areas in Logone and Chari, Mayo-Sava, Mayo- Danay, and Mayo-Tsanaga and Diamaré divisions received 105 per cent to 145 per cent of the average seasonal cumulative precipitation.
In July and August 2024, heavy rains caused flooding in several localities in the Far North. As of 28 August, 158,620 people (18,970 households), were already severely affected. The floods resulted in seven deaths and eight injured. Additionally, 1,178 heads of livestock were lost and nearly 3,000 hectares of agricultural land were destroyed. As of 2 September, 194 schools were flooded, making the return to school for over 74,000 children impossible. The priority needs identified include food, shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI), WASH and health services.
Many families who lost their homes are being hosted by other families in the same location or are sleeping in schools or out in the open close to their damaged or destroyed shelters. However, displacement due to the flooding has already been reported, but figures are still being consolidated. Read the story of Adjara and her family who were trapped by floods.
The ongoing rains and rising river levels are raising concerns about a deterioration of the situation in the coming days and weeks. Between 463,000 and 600,000 people, including 260,000 to 336,000 children, are at risk of being affected by this year’s floods in the Far North and North Regions.