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SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW
On 3 November 2024, severe flooding devastated host communities in Gamboru, following the overflow of the Chari River—a 1,400-kilometer waterway originating in Central Africa and serving as Lake Chad’s primary water source. This overflow exacerbated the surges of River Bodo (Republic of Cameroon) and River Maga (Ngala LGA), culminating in extensive flooding across Gamboru Communities in Ngala Local Government Area (LGA). Numerous households in Gamboru host communities, including Badiya – Kasuwan Shanu, Gamboru Dina, Zawuya, and Bulabulin were submerged, resulting in widespread displacement and significant disruption to livelihoods.
According to the Ngala Rapid needs assessment conducted on 10th December 2024, the most affected areas include Badiya Dina, Zawiya and Kanumburi, alongside three host communities in Gomboru: Ghana and Bulabulin. The events impacted on 1,952 households, (10,606 individuals) whilst 538 households comprising 2,849 individuals were displaced. The floods have disproportionately impacted vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly, many of whom are now living in unsafe and undignified conditions. While no casualties have been reported, the situation remains critical. Displacement has compounded their challenges, as affected families have sought refuge with relatives in less affected areas and in established displacement camps such as ISS Camp, Zulum Camp, and Arabic Camp. These sites are now experiencing increased pressure on already stretched resources, necessitating urgent humanitarian action to address immediate needs and prevent further deterioration of living conditions The Rapid Response Mechanism partners deployed to conduct a rapid needs assessment to understand the impact of the floods on the affected population. The most urgent need identified by the affected households include food (66.7%) followed by shelter (36.4%) and non-food items (22.2%).