MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Residents in northeastern Borno state are struggling to access medical care following devastating floods, which have been described as the worst in three decades. The floods have claimed over 30 lives and affected about one million people, many of whom are now living in camps without adequate food or clean water.
Aid agencies are warning of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases as medical facilities are overwhelmed. The crisis has been compounded by a recent dam burst, which was triggered by heavy rainfall affecting not only Nigeria but also neighboring countries in West and Central Africa.
In the past two weeks, over 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Sahel and Lake Chad region, with around 465 deaths reported by the United Nations. The Norwegian Refugee Council has reported an additional 50,000 people displaced in northeastern Nigeria alone.
In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, residents like Bintu Amadu are facing long waits for medical attention. Her son suffers from diarrhoea, but she has struggled to access timely care. Similarly, Ramatu Yajubu, who managed to get an appointment card, remains uncertain about receiving medical attention due to the high demand.
The floods are exacerbating existing health issues, including malnutrition and diseases such as malaria and waterborne illnesses. The situation is further strained by rising water levels in Nigeria’s major rivers, which could lead to additional flooding in other parts of the country. Aid organizations are working to provide relief, but the scale of the disaster is stretching resources thin.