The UN has expressed concern over the flooding in Nigeria, which has impacted the lives of more than 2.8 million men, women and children.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said this at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York.

According to Nigerian authorities, over 600 people have died, and 1.3 million people have been displaced.

“We are gravely concerned that the flooding will worsen the already alarming food insecurity and malnutrition situation in Nigeria,” stated Mr 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.’’

According to FAO, the UN official added that cereal production would likely decline by 3.4 per cent compared to 2021 due to flooding, high agriculture production costs, and insecurity.

“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 also noted that the organisation “have provided emergency shelter kits, and are working to create local water drains, sandbags, and walling around shelters to mitigate the impacts of the flooding.”