West and Central Africa: Latest events at a glance (17 to 23 September 2024)

Mali
Floods continue to cause deaths and significant damage across the country
Since the beginning of September, heavy rains and the Niger river’s rising water levels have caused significant flooding in the Macina circle, Segou region. On 19 September, local authorities and humanitarian partners conducted an assessment mission to the area and found that a child had drowned in the Nemabougou 2 internally displaced persons’ site, which is currently completely submerged by waters and where over 200 households are in urgent need of shelter. In Macina town, 11,000 people were affected by the floods, which destroyed or damaged 900 houses, 400 latrines, 32 water points, and 4,000 hectares of crops. In addition, 800 people were affected by flooding in Matomo and Sana towns, some 100 kilometres south-east of Macina. Local authorities and partners are relocating households in need of shelter, including internally displaced persons, to a stadium in Macina. On 19 September, torrential rains also hit Menaka town, Gao region, causing the death of a child and significant material damage. As of 16 September, national authorities reported that the floods had affected over 187 700 people, caused 64 deaths, injured 147 others, and destroyed 3 686 hectares of crops, directly affecting 77 293 farmers.

West and Central Africa
WFP warns floods will exacerbate hunger crisis in West and Central Africa
The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that catastrophic floods in West and Central Africa affecting over 4 million people in 14 countries, is compounding a hunger crisis already impacting 55 million people – four times more people than five years ago. In collaboration with national governments, WFP is providing critical food and nutrition support to nearly 1 million people across the region. Efforts include emergency food in Nigeria and emergency food and cash assistance in Chad, Liberia, Mali, and Niger. Humanitarian partners are also calling for investments in early warning systems, anticipatory action, disaster risk financing and social protection systems to build resilience against climate shocks.

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Surge in violence results in 25 civilians killed and thousands displaced in less than a week in Djugu and Mambasa territories, Ituri province
On 19 September, a non-state armed group reportedly killed at least six civilians, including three displaced persons, in an attack in Djugu territory, in Ituri Province in the east of the country. Between 13 and 18 September, at least 17 civilians were killed in the fighting between armed groups. Following this incident, nearly 37,000 people from three internally displaced persons’ sites were forced to move to Bule centre on 19 September. Between 13 and 17 September, around 26,000 people moved to Jina and Djaiba localities. In Mambasa territory, also in Ituri Province, suspected members of a non-state armed group reportedly killed at least two displaced persons in Kaleveryo village, Mandima health zone. Thousands of displaced people and host families are running out of food and are forced to search for food in an insecure environment. Humanitarian partners are concerned about the risk of similar incidents occurring again. At least 10 partners have suspended their activities in Djugu territory, due to insecurity.

West and Central Africa
Cholera outbreak in West and Central Africa – over 30,000 cases so far in 2024
West and Central Africa is facing a cholera outbreak, with over 30,000 cases and 516 deaths reported between January 2024 and 25 August 2024. Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo have been affected. The outbreak's spread has been facilitated by porous borders, and by heavy rains and floods further deteriorating water and sanitation conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners have deployed experts to support outbreak responses, focusing on surveillance, case management, and improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene.