The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that more than 5 million people across 16 countries in West and Central Africa have been affected by floods so far this year.

According to OCHA, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria are among the hardest-hit countries, accounting for more than 80 percent of those affected.

The office added that over 1,000 people have lost their lives, and at least 740,000 have been displaced. Hundreds of thousands of homes, over one hundred schools, and dozens of health facilities have been damaged. Nearly 500,000 acres of farmland have also been affected.

Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya announced the allocation of US$35 million to support the response in five of the affected countries: Chad, Niger, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Congo.

Source: Emirates News Agency