The flooding in Nigeria, which has affected the lives of more than 2.8 million men, women, and children, has drawn alarm from the UN.
This was stated at a press conference held at UN headquarters in New York by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Over 600 individuals have died, and 1.3 million people have been displaced, according to Nigerian authorities.
“We are gravely concerned that the flooding will worsen the already alarming food insecurity and malnutrition situation in Nigeria,” state Dujarric. “More than 440,000 hectares of farmland have been partially or totally damaged at a time when more than 19 million people across Nigeria are facing severe food insecurity.’’
The UN official noted that because of flooding, high agricultural production costs, and insecurity, cereal production will probably decrease by 3.4% in comparison to 2021.
“Since July, national authorities in Nigeria have provided food, non-food items and clean drinking water to thousands of impacted households,” he added. “We, along with our humanitarian partners, are supporting the government with assessments and response, notably in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, as well as in other impacted parts of Nigeria.”
The UN official added that cereal production will likely fall by 3.4% in comparison to 2021 as a result of flooding, high agricultural production expenses, and instability.
Meanwhile, after floating bodies discovered at a cemetery in the Azikoro district, residents of Yenogoa, the capital of Bayelsa, expressed worry.
The finding of the bodies was verified on Tuesday by Iselema Gbaranbiri, the commissioner for the environment and the head of the state task force on flood mitigation and management.
According to Gbaranbiri, he was informed about a corpse floating in the water and gave the head of health and sanitation instructions to rebury the body.
The commissioner claimed that while the area has been appropriately fumigated, two additional corpses have been reburied.