UNICEF, IHS support 30,000 Niger flood victims

In a joint emergency intervention aimed at addressing the devastating impact of recent floods in Niger State, the United Nations Children’s Fund and IHS Nigeria have launched a comprehensive humanitarian response to support more than 30,000 displaced persons in Mokwa Local Government Area.

The effort follows torrential rainfall on 29 May, which triggered severe flash floods across five communities: Tiffin Maza, Ungwan Hausawa, Yagbagba, Ndayeko, and Wubegi, resulting in the deaths of over 153 people and the displacement of thousands.

More than 10,000 hectares of farmland were also destroyed, dealing a major blow to the state’s food security, while over 500 persons remain missing.

Among the most vulnerable affected by the flooding are an estimated 1,600 children and nearly 800 pregnant and lactating women, now living in precarious conditions without access to clean water, basic healthcare, or education.

In response, IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has pledged an emergency grant to support UNICEF’s rapid response strategy in the affected communities. The partnership will focus on restoring access to safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and child protection services.

The intervention includes the construction of three solar-powered motorised boreholes, the installation of ventilated improved pit latrines, and the renovation and solarisation of a damaged primary healthcare centre. These measures are designed to restore essential services and uphold the dignity of affected families.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, in a statement to The PUNCH on Tuesday, described the support from IHS Nigeria as timely and lifesaving.

“This emergency support from IHS Nigeria comes at a critical time when thousands of children and families are facing enormous hardship,” Munduate said.
He continued, “Our longstanding partnership with IHS Nigeria has always prioritised reaching the most vulnerable communities. Together, we have made strides in strengthening primary healthcare systems, education, and child protection. Today’s renewed collaboration ensures that the children of Mokwa are not left behind.”

As the global cluster lead for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection, UNICEF has already deployed integrated, life-saving interventions across the affected communities.

These include clean drinking water, emergency sanitation facilities, therapeutic nutrition for malnourished children, psychosocial support, and the creation of temporary learning and child-friendly spaces.

Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria, Mr Mohamad Darwish, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community resilience and sustainable impact.

“At IHS Nigeria, we are driven by the belief that communities must not only survive disastrous incidents but emerge stronger from them,” Darwish said.

“Our partnership with UNICEF is a proven model for helping deliver sustainable impact in some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable regions. We have supported similar interventions across other communities impacted by natural disasters, and by working together once again in Mokwa, we are helping deliver access to water, health services, and dignity for families who need it most.”

The Mokwa intervention is the latest in a series of collaborative projects between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF. The two organisations have previously partnered on strengthening maternal and child health, improving school infrastructure, and supporting underserved communities through long-term development programmes.

UNICEF stated that the current crisis underscores the urgent need for climate resilience strategies in Nigeria, particularly in flood-prone areas where fragile infrastructure and limited public services leave communities dangerously exposed.