The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released over US$1.8 million to meet the urgent needs of people impacted by devastating floods across Nigeria.
This funding will support local and international non-governmental organizations in delivering critical humanitarian aid to more than 180,000 people in Borno, Benue, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
“The dramatic flooding we are witnessing this year has devastated countless communities, displacing families and disrupting lives,” said Paola Pace, IOM Nigeria’s Chief of Mission ad interim. “Our priority is to ensure immediate relief is provided, granting affected individuals access to essential services and the resources needed to rebuild their lives.”
The ongoing flood crisis has left many parts of Maiduguri submerged, with streets and homes covered in water. With more than 1.2 million people affected nationwide—primarily in Borno State, which has already been grappling with a prolonged humanitarian crisis—the disaster has reportedly claimed 300 lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in search of safety.
The funds, channelled through the Rapid Response Fund (RRF), will provide shelter, non-food items, cash assistance, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to alleviate immediate suffering and promote recovery. This allocation complements existing funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, further strengthening protection services for vulnerable groups such as children and women, and addressing gender-based violence.
The RRF, a small grant mechanism for rapid humanitarian assistance during crises, is operational across Nigeria through local and international NGOs. The first round of $1.8 million allocations in August 2024 supported organizations such as Salient Humanitarian Organization (SHO), Solidarités International (SI), and Grassroots Life Saving Outreach (LESGO), enabling immediate life-saving interventions.
In Maiduguri, the floodwaters have submerged entire neighborhoods, with the water stretching deep into residential areas, further emphasising the urgency of the relief efforts.
