News
Historic Floods in Niger
Niger, a largely desert Sahelian country, is characterized by an unpredictable and unevenly distributed rainfall pattern. This year, the rainy season, typically confined to just three months, has taken an extraordinary turn. Since August, torrential rains have swept across the nation, particularly impacting the Agadez region, and causing devastating floods.
The damage is staggering: ravaged crops, destroyed homes along valley edges, and substantial livestock losses. According to authorities, over 3,000 villages have been affected, with around 850,000 people impacted. The death toll stands at 273, marking this as the worst natural disaster ever recorded in the country.
In the Agadez region, countless homes have collapsed, and thousands of market gardens have been washed away by rivers swollen with unprecedented force. Road infrastructure, including roads, trails, and bridges, has suffered severe damage, leaving the region entirely isolated. Temporary measures have been implemented pending the end of the rains.
Immediate needs are pressing: shelter, food security, access to potable water, and sanitation are critical challenges for the entire country.
Among the affected infrastructure, the women's group centers in Attri and Tafadak—supported by our association and the NGO Tidène—have sustained significant damage, with collapsed buildings and agricultural production lost to the floodwaters. The Ministry of Humanitarian Action is currently assessing the damages to propose sustainable solutions to this crisis.
This unprecedented situation underscores that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality that must be factored into future actions.
The affected populations urgently need support. We call for solidarity and hope to once again rely on the generosity of our benefactors, who have always risen to the occasion in times of crisis.
