Devastating Floods in Chad Leave Millions Struggling for Survival

One of the worst calamities in recent times is Chad’s devastating flooding that has devastated about two million people since July 2024. Lives have been broken and homes have been washed away. Numerous families grabbed whatever possessions they could carry as they fled to higher ground as the floodwaters rose in the area. This calamity has affected every corner of the region. 

More than 13,000 people have been forced to seek refuge in makeshift camps while many others have lost everything. Natural catastrophes like floods, droughts and cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe due to the global climate crisis which is also destroying agricultural, educational and health systems and ruining the lives and livelihoods of countless people.

Serious humanitarian issues have been affecting nations like Chad which are among the most impacted and least prepared to deal with climate change. Due to significant rains in October, the River Chari and its tributary the Logone rose to record levels and flooded entire neighborhoods of N’Djamena, the capital of Chad leaving citizens in a grave situation.

Women and girls are now at greater risk due to the increasing floodwaters, particularly those residing in the Chari-Baguirmi refugee camp. When pregnant women were abruptly denied access to basic necessities like clean drinking water, food, shelter and medical care, childbirth became a potentially fatal experience. Also the women who were malnourished were unable to give their babies milk.

In the Chari Baguirmi displacement camp in the Toukra neighborhood of N’Djamena, the capital of Chad some 4,000 people have taken up residence. Since schools are closed, there is a greater chance of violence and exploitation especially for teenage girls. The United Nations agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health UNFPA is responding by taking action to meet these pressing needs.

In all 248 humanitarian midwives have been sent to Chad including to camps for displaced people like Chari-Baguirmi. These midwives have received specialized training to support victims of violence and manage complications of pregnancy. 

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Additionally UNFPA has provided them with vital resources for clinical management of rape and safe birthing. A new collective aim for climate related financing to reach USD 300 billion a year by 2035 was one of the major global agreements on climate action reached at the COP29 climate summit which concluded on November 24, 2024.

These accords now need to be put into action with special funds set aside for women and girls affected by natural catastrophes in nations like Chad that are vulnerable to climate change. To protect women and girls from future climate related disasters, investments in adaptation and resilience measures are essential.