Attachments
Appeal: MDRTG009
Total DREF Allocation: CHF 369,133
Glide Number: FL-2022-000351-TGO
People Affected: 18,596 people
People Targeted: 16,340 people
Operation Start Date: 01-11-2022
Operational End Date: 31-05-2023
The major donors and partners of the IFRC-DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, China, Czech, Canada, Denmark, German, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and the Netherlands, as well as DG ECHO, Mondelez Foundation, and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the National Society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions.
Description of the Event
Date of event
17-10-2022
What happened, where and when?
On 17 October 2022, uninterrupted heavy rains in the Maritime Region caused an exponential rise of rivers level and a spike in the dam’s water level. As from mid-October, Nangbéto dam officials reported that the water retention capacity had already been exceeded while forecasts predicted intense rainfalls in the days to follow. River Mono, into which all the water from the northern region empties themselves overflowed its banks. Dam officials were compelled to release waters to avoid dam failure and greater damages. This incident increased water levels in various streams of Maritime region, especially in the Yoto, Bas Mono and Lacs prefectures.
These widespread increases in the water level in communities destroyed crops in farms, affecting several hectares of rice, maize, soya, and beans. Floods also filled farm roads and caused material damage. Prominent among the material damage was the destruction of huts, flooding of schools and extensive livestock losses. On 25 October 2022, Togo’s National Disaster Prevention Agency (ANPC) released information collected in the Savanes, and Maritime Regions, showing that over 18,596 people had been affected in the 02 regions, with 06 prefectures out of 15 affected. The assessment conducted by Togolese Red Cross confirmed the number of affected populations identified by the initial rapid joint assessment with ANPC which was used to launch this operation.
From December 2022, the floods started to recede from the affected areas, both Savanes and Maritime regions. Even if floods had receded, the displacement and losses caused by the floods were still considerable but for different reasons. The floods consequences were still witnessed in Maritime while the Savanes region was facing the short- and long-term impacts of the displacement crisis as a result of attacks in border areas with Burkina Faso.
Even if floods had receded, the displacement and losses caused by the floods were still considerable. Humanitarian issues in the region are related to population movements more than floods. Floods impact has increased the vulnerability of the population by deteriorating the health situation with malaria and other diarrheic diseases noticed in the region after floods. The after-effects of these diseases persist and require action to bring about lasting positive behavioral change.
Scope and Scale
In October 2022, six prefectures in two regions of Togo experienced flooding, with damages recorded. The non-exhaustive rapid assessment of the floods enabled the Togolese Red Cross to submit a DREF to the IFRC. See details under the plan published. The prefectures affected were:
• Lacs, Bas Mono and Yoto in the Maritime region cumulate the high impact
• Oti Sud and Kpendjal in the Savanes region have low impact linked to floods and the needs identified were mainly linked to the displacement crisis ongoing in the region. The attacks in Burkina Faso borders led to a protracted crisis that weaken the social and economic stability and increase the humanitarian vulnerability. The Savanes region rely mainly on agriculture and populations living in extreme vulnerability has been further exposed with the ongoing situation. The region is ranked among the poorest in the country.
More quantitative and qualitative data on the damage and impact of the floods on communities were collected through a detailed assessment through the DREF allocation. The report confirmed the areas affected as per above and that the main incidence of floods was in Maritime region. Additional results show that the floods affected 564 households in the Savanes region and 4,085 in the Maritime region. The damage included:
• Destruction of large areas of corn, beans, soybeans and rice fields
• Partial and/or total collapse of boxes
• 207 huts cleared in the Savanes and 378 in the Maritime
• 28 huts collapsed in the Savanes and 1,425 in the Maritime
• 17 cracked huts in the Savanes and 913 in the Maritime
• Loss of livestock
• Loss of clothing and kitchen utensils
• Destruction of granaries (food stock)
• Flooding of some school buildings and health centres.
Based on information reported by the regional branch, it came clear that:
• As a result of the prevailing situation, people left their usual residences for roadsides (higher sites in the villages). Most of themarrived without food or livestock supplies. The immediate availability of food and assistance was required to limit the exposition and ensure the dignity of these community is prioritized.
• The waters washed away livestock and produce from the fields that could have been used as food reserves. This situation led to risks of severe malnutrition and even anemia among children and pregnant women. Especially in Maritime region for river border communities. Even after the water receded from the localities, the shelter and livelihood damages were significant.
The few remaining agricultural land constituting the livelihoods of those affected could have been sold off if nothing was done to meet their economic needs. Among those affected, a total of 1,789 children under five years of age who lived with the risks associated with the consumption of non-potable water were exposed to diarrheal diseases, and even an epidemic situation. There were also those who hosted relatives who were victims of the floods who were exposed to the risk of SGBV and social cohesion as a result of insufficient stock of food.
Apart from the direct impact of the floods, Savanes region is bordering Burkina Faso with ongoing social unrest and displacement. The region has been experiencing a growing influx of displaced persons due to incursions into the territory by non-state armed groups. Information on displaced people was not available but flooding in the area put significant pressure on the already fragile host communities.