West and Central Africa: Latest events at a glance (24 to 30 September 2024)

West and Central Africa
Flooding affects more than 4.4 million people in West and Central Africa
Floods have affected more than 4.4 million people in West and Central Africa so far in 2024. Chad is the worst affected country, with 1.5 million people affected, followed by Nigeria (1.1 million), Niger (711,000), and Cameroon (365,000), Democratic Republic of the Congo (201,000), and Mali (188,000). As of 22 September, more than 740,000 people had been internally displaced due to flooding in eight countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria. Floods have also severely affected livelihoods and access to basic services, with more than 463,000 homes, 138 schools and 52 health facilities destroyed or damaged.

Mali
Heavy rainfall results in over 100 malaria-related deaths in Kidal region
On 25 September, Kidal and Adjelhoc health centres in Kidal region in north-east Mali reported a surge in malaria-related admissions due to the recent heavy rains that led to the proliferation of mosquitoes. Adjelhoc health centre recorded 315 patients admitted for malaria and 32 malaria-related deaths between 1 and 25 September. Furthermore, on 24 and 25 September alone, at least 102 malaria-related deaths were recorded in Talahandak, Achibrich, Kanaye and Talabit towns approximately 100km Northwest of Kidal. Health authorities in the region are appealing for urgent support in the form of medicine, impregnated mosquito nets and mobile clinics in the hardest-hit areas.

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Alarm over growing sexual violence incidents
On 30 September, the international non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that it had delivered emergency medical assistance to over 17,000 gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in eastern North-Kivu province between January and May 2024. MSF is concerned about the growing prevalence of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the number of GBV victims treated in the first half of 2024 only in North-Kivu having already reached 69 per cent of all cases recorded and treated in 2023 across the six provinces of North-Kivu, South-Kivu, Ituri, Maniema and Central Kasai. According to MSF, during the year to date, at least two women have been victims of sexual violence every two hours, most of whom are displaced women. Between 2020 and 2022, MSF teams treated an average of 10,000 GBV survivors annually in the country.

Niger
Attack on a health centre in Diffa region
A Non-State Armed Group is reported to have raided Boudouri village in the south-east of the country on 23 September and looted the health centre, stealing medicines, medical equipment and other items. Two projects funded by the Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa are being implemented in that commune, benefiting communities in Boudouri. The Diffa region continues to face persistent insecurity which has led to ongoing forced displacement. As of 31 August, the region hosts nearly 170,000 internally displaced persons and 120,000 refugees. Humanitarian partners are advocating for the protection of medical facilities and personnel.