Catastrophic Floods Affect Multitudes in Chad
Over two million individuals in Chad have experienced severe flooding, affecting around ten percent of the country's population, as per reports from the UN's emergency aid organization Ocha. Since late July, over 576 lives have been lost due to these floods. Over 200,000 houses, countless hectares of farmland, and grazing lands have been devastated, along with schools, health centers, and other essential infrastructure.
The encroaching waters now pose a threat to the capital, N'Djamena. The Chari and Logone rivers, which meet in N'Djamena before flowing into Lake Chad, are expected to reach critical water levels in the coming days, precipitating significant concerns. In response, Chad's Prime Minister, Allamaye Halina, has reached out to various states and international organizations for additional aid. The government is currently attempting to alleviate the flood's impact by offering medical assistance and distributing free food to the affected population, as stated by the prime minister.
Chad, with a population of 19 million, is ranked as one of the world's least developed countries, according to UN data. The majority of the population works as small-scale farmers, with around half living below the poverty line. Moreover, the country plays host to over 1.2 million refugees, with over a million originating from neighboring Sudan.
This year's rainy season in West and Central Africa has been characterized by unusually heavy rainfall. Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon have also experienced flooding. According to Ocha, over 1,000 lives have been claimed, with over five million individuals affected by these floods.
The capital city of Chad, N'Djamena, is at risk due to the rising Chari and Logone rivers. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Chad's Prime Minister, Allamaye Halina, has sought aid from various states and international organizations.
