Like the hardship felt by those impacted by Storm Chandra and others over winter, climate change sees no borders and its pain and destruction affects us all, especially those in the Global South where extreme weather and floods is literally a matter of life or death.

In May, communities in Mokwa, Nigeria suffered heartbreaking loss in devastating flash flooding last year. With a death toll of over 700 people and 500 believed missing, the floods, said to be worst in the area for 60 years swept through the Mokwa districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa after torrential rains.

Thousands were left grieving, homeless & left to pick up the pieces of their lives so cruelly washed away.

But with your help – we were able to support flood victims vulnerable communities who needed it most and broken families whose stories of loss and resilience were often forgotten by headlines.

In an emergency response, 101 displaced households received food aid and non-food essentials like: sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets and jerrycans for water storage to support their basic daily living.

Aftermath: A house destroyed by the devastating floods

Due to the devastation and fear of disease, 100 households also received hygiene kits with medicated bathing soap, packets of detergent, menstrual hygiene pads, toothpaste, and toothbrushes and sachets of water purification tablets and one bucket.

In addition, hygiene promotion activities were conducted to reach community members to ensure improved hygiene practices to reduce the outbreak of water borne diseases.

As you can imagine, communities suffered heartbreaking loss and in efforts to accompany people, often seeking just a shoulder to cry on, 326 people received psychosocial first aid and counselling to give comfort and support during such destressing times.

Thanks to support like yours, we were able to help families during such sad times. Bilkisu Umar, is one mother we supported, who’s story is one of survival and gratitude:

“In our house alone, we lost nine family members, three of them were my children,” Bilkisu recalls tearfully. “It has been tough for us, but we have been getting help. I am among the beneficiaries of this support, and I say thank you and may God reward you all. The memories are traumatizing, but we thank God for life and for the organizations like IJI who stood by us.”

Despite unimaginable loss, Bilkisu says that receiving relief items brought not just comfort but also emotional strength to keep moving forward.

With thanks to our donors, we can continue to offer comfort and support the health and wellbeing of those who need it most.