The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has approved U.S. $1million in immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims of the devastating floods in Nigeria.

Development Diaries reports that the unusually heavy rainfall and resulting flooding has affected nearly 2.8 million people across Nigeria.

Tens of thousands of homes have been damaged or completely destroyed, forcing the displacement of two million people, with more than 600 people losing their lives.

USAID, in a statement, said the funds will help provide emergency support to the victims of the floods.

‘The floods have exacerbated an already critical humanitarian situation in Nigeria, where ongoing conflict, especially in the northern region, has already driven millions of people from their homes’, the statement read.

‘In the same region, more than four million people are projected to continue experiencing acute food insecurity amid the worsening global food crisis.

‘To make matters worse, we are concerned that standing floodwaters could also increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states, where cholera outbreaks were declared in August and September and at least 7,750 cases were recorded’.

According to the U.S agency, its partners in Nigeria will provide emergency shelter repair kits and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices.

USAID added that its disaster experts will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with humanitarian partners, the Nigerian government, and the United States Embassy in Abuja.

Source: USAID

Photo source: USAID