UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urgently appealing for $10.6 million1 to address the immediate and medium-term impacts of climate induced flooding on forcibly displaced populations and their host communities. This funding is critical to provide life-saving support, including protection, shelter, non-food items (NFIs), and to strengthen preparedness activities between October 2024 and March 2025. In alignment with government led response plans, UNHCR’s interventions will be coordinated under the Refugee Coordination Model and integrated into the Cluster System for internally displaced people (IDPs), ensuring a comprehensive approach to both immediate relief and long-term resilience.
SITUATION UPDATE
Since the onset of the rainy season, climate-induced torrential rains and severe flooding have wreaked havoc on over 5.13 million people across five countries in West and Central Africa—an alarming 485 per cent increase from the previous year. The hardest-hit nations are Chad (1.9 million affected), Niger (1.4 million), Nigeria (1.2 million), Cameroon (365,000) and Mali (260,000). All host a large number of refugees and IDPs, who are particularly vulnerable to these climate shocks.
This climate crisis has not only exacerbated existing vulnerabilities but has also triggered new waves of displacement in regions already hosting populations uprooted by conflict and insecurity. An estimated 330,000 forcibly displaced individuals have been directly affected, particularly in flood-prone areas such as Maradi in Niger, Borno State in Nigeria, the Far North of Cameroon, Gao and Segou in Mali, and various regions of Chad. The intersection of these crises underscores the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience and humanitarian responses to safeguard the most at-risk populations.
In addition, the devastating impacts of flooding are poised to extend well beyond this year’s rainy
season, compounding the hardships already faced by vulnerable communities. These nations have
seen unprecedented levels of displacement due to ongoing insecurity. Since 2023, displacement has
surged by 17 per cent in Niger. Chad is now home to the second-largest Sudanese refugee population
since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, raising the total number of refugees to nearly 1.2 million.
Across West and Central Africa, 14 million people have been displaced—double the number reported in 2019. Given the vast number of people affected, their growing humanitarian needs, and worsening
weather forecasts predicting more extreme rainfall, UNHCR declared a Level 1 emergency in September 2024 for Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Mali. This emergency declaration will remain in effect for six months, until March 2025.
Despite efforts to reprioritize resources internally, significant funding gaps persist. An estimated $10
million is urgently required to meet the immediate needs of the most affected populations and
enhance flood preparedness across these five countries. Without additional support, critical needs
in shelter, protection, and preparedness for forcibly displaced people and their host communities risk
going unmet, leaving them even more vulnerable.