Women, Children Suffer as Communities Battle Diseases After Deadly Flood

Nigerian communities across several states are facing a growing public health crisis as floodwaters recede, leaving behind a trail of death, displacement, and disease. Reports indicate that women and children are bearing the brunt of the health fallout, with outbreaks of waterborne and other infectious diseases sweeping through flood-affected areas.

According to recent data, the floods have impacted over 134,000 people across 20 states, with a significant number of them being women and children. The disaster has not only destroyed homes and livelihoods but also created an environment ripe for disease transmission. Contaminated floodwaters have mixed with sewage, leading to a surge in cases of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Displaced individuals, now living in overcrowded camps and temporary shelters, are also at an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections and skin diseases due to poor living conditions.

Children are particularly vulnerable to these illnesses, as their immune systems are not as developed. Reports from organizations like UNICEF highlight the growing number of children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, facing risks of waterborne diseases and malnutrition. Women, too, are suffering, as they are often responsible for caring for sick family members while dealing with their own health and psychological distress.

In response, several international and local aid organizations are on the ground. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is providing health services and hygiene kits, while UNICEF and its partners are installing emergency water and sanitation facilities and distributing medical supplies. However, aid workers have stressed that the humanitarian needs far outweigh the available resources, calling for a more coordinated and robust response from all levels of government and the international community to prevent further suffering.