More than three million children in Borno State have lost access to education due to devastating floods. According to Save the Children, schools remain closed indefinitely following the worst flooding in the region in over 30 years. The crisis has escalated fears of increased child marriage and labor as families struggle to cope with displacement and loss. With over 400,000 people displaced and many seeking refuge in overcrowded camps, children face a dire situation marked by a lack of clean water and sanitation, leading to outbreaks of cholera and diarrhoea.

Malnutrition rates, already concerning, are expected to rise significantly as the floods have destroyed vast stretches of farmland. Save the Children reports that 60% of children under five were affected by malnutrition last year, a situation that will likely worsen. “This is a crisis upon a crisis,” said Duncan Harvey, Country Director of Save the Children in Nigeria, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by children and their families.

The floods, caused by the breach of the Alau Dam, have compounded existing issues of desertification and armed conflict in the region. Families already displaced multiple times due to violence now find themselves homeless once again, facing an uncertain future. The increasing number of children separated from their families is particularly alarming, making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Humanitarian efforts are underway to reunite these children with their families, but resources are stretched thin. As 14-year-old Ibrahim poignantly stated, “Climate change is real and affects every single part of our lives. We need world leaders to prioritize climate action because we don’t have another planet.” Urgent support from both the Borno State Government and the international community is crucial to address this escalating humanitarian crisis.