This year’s flood has been one of the most devastating in decades. More than 600 people have died, up to 3 million people displaced, thousands of houses destroyed, and lots of farmlands washed away.
What is expected to happen in the coming days?
A looming food crisis: Thousands of hectares of farmland have been submerged under the flood which hasn’t abated. This situation will then put pressure on the food supply chain for a country battling food crisis already.
Currently, a bag of rice goes for between 35,000 to 40,000. Other food prices are expected to skyrocket drastically. With Nigeria being one of the biggest consumers of Rice, this food prices might further drive more people into poverty.
Delta State also reportedly lost food storage and farm equipments worth 30 million naira including a rice paddy.
Health crisis.
The flood has disrupted sanitary conditions and also affected the purity of the most drinking water sources for up to 53 million people who are at risk of the flooding. Diseases like cholera, dysentery, and other water borne diseases are expected to increase and if not properly managed, can result in a massive casualty situation.
Housing crisis.
About 500,000 to 600,000 buildings have been destroyed in this year’s flood. While some can be rebuilt, others have been rendered uninhabitable. This increases the number of people who will be left without proper housing and the internally displaced in the country.
With insecurity and climate change, the crisis bedeviling Nigeria may get worse. But the best depends on how the government handles the situation from now henceforth.