THE African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for global collective action to combat severe impacts of the climate change induced flooding, the latest case in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
ITUC-Africa’s General Secretary, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, in a statement made available to journalists, said: “Severe flooding across Africa has resulted in catastrophic consequences for millions of people, with over 2.3 million affected in West and Central Africa alone, according to recent updates.”
He regretted that torrential rains and widespread floods have displaced hundreds of thousands of families, wreaking havoc on homes, livelihoods and infrastructure.
He said: “The crisis has reached critical levels in countries such as Nigeria, Niger and Mali, where Save the Children reports that nearly 950,000 people, many of them children, have been forced from their homes.”
The affected children now face the dual threat of disease and hunger as floods destroy crops, disrupt education and overwhelm health services. Schools have become shelters for fleeing families and many buildings have been severely damaged. “This disaster is not just a momentary crisis; it represents long-term dangers for displaced children and their futures,” the statement quoted the spokesperson of Save the Children.
According to the statement: “In Nigeria, persistent rains have added to the already fragile economic situation. Rising food costs and destroyed farmlands exacerbate the struggle of millions facing an economic downturn.
“In Niger, heavy rainfall and floods have claimed scores of lives, destroyed homes and left workers without employment, deepening the sense of despondency across communities. Similar devastation has unfolded across East African nations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Somalia, where seasonal rains have resulted in riverine and flash flooding, causing further deaths and displacement.”
ITUC-Africa further stressed that the devastating floods are directly linked to climate change, a crisis that disproportionately affects vulnerable regions in Africa. “The impacts of flooding are among the many visible signs of climatic changes. This calls for our collective action to combat these severe impacts on communities,” the statement read.
In light of this, ITUC-Africa called for a multi-level approach to respond to the crisis. It pleaded with the citizens to provide direct aid to those affected, while governments must step up efforts to offer shelter, basic essentials and coordinated rescue efforts. However, local and national responses alone are insufficient.
As the world prepares for the upcoming COP29 climate conference, ITUC-Africa has reiterated the necessity for pragmatic action. “We need COP29 to deliver serious commitments and financial support for climate change mitigation, adaptation and Just Transition for the most affected countries,” Odigie emphasised.
One of the most pressing demands is for the Conference of Parties (COP) to adopt robust mechanisms to operationalise and grow the Loss and Damage Fund, which was first agreed upon at COP27. This fund is designed to provide financial assistance to countries experiencing irreversible climate damage, despite ongoing mitigation efforts.
“Loss and damage is no longer an abstract concept; it is a reality for millions of people in Africa and beyond. COP29 must take serious steps to address the long-term financial needs of countries facing this devastation,” said Odigie.
As floods, droughts and other extreme weather events continue to grow in intensity due to climate change, the need for global cooperation has never been more urgent. ITUC-Africa’s statement underscores the importance of long-term solutions and an international commitment to tackling the root causes of these climate disasters.
With millions of lives hanging in the balance, ITUC-Africa pledges to continue monitoring developments, pushing for rapid responses and advocating disaster risk management in Africa.
The organisation said it remains steadfast in its call for the world to come together to prevent further climate-related catastrophes and ensure a sustainable, equitable future for all.
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