As the rainy season continues across Nigeria, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has announced an additional $668,000 in funding through its Rapid Response Fund to support emergency relief efforts for communities impacted by severe flooding.
This funding, outlined in an IOM press release on Thursday, will enhance humanitarian operations in Jigawa, Katsina, and Bauchi states, where tens of thousands of people are struggling with the effects of catastrophic floods. The IOM will work with partners, including the Relief Rescue Initiative, Safer World Foundation, and Community Engagement and Social Development Initiative, to deliver this aid.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, whose generous contributions make this response possible,” said Paola Pace, IOM Nigeria’s Chief of Mission ad interim. “Their support is crucial for enabling IOM and local partners to provide life-saving assistance and to help communities rebuild and recover from the floods’ devastating impacts,” she added.
Over 1.3 million people have been affected by floods this year across 34 Nigerian states, with at least 320 lives lost and 258,000 hectares of farmland destroyed. The flooding has forced over 740,000 people to leave their homes.
In October, IOM allocated an initial $1.8 million to nine local and international NGOs for emergency flood response. With this additional allocation, IOM’s total funding for flood response in Nigeria in 2024 exceeds $2.4 million.
The funds will support vital services, including emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation, and protection, along with multi-purpose cash assistance to over 228,777 people. These initiatives aim to meet the immediate needs of affected communities while promoting long-term recovery and resilience.
IOM emphasised that its efforts are coordinated with government agencies, local authorities, and humanitarian partners to ensure a comprehensive response, reiterating its commitment to timely and effective assistance for those in need.