Our research documentary on the pre-flood and post-flood realities of coastal communities, focusing on Isoko North and South LGAs, vividly captures the harsh realities faced by these vulnerable populations. As we engaged with the widows, still displaced by the floods, the emotions in the room were overwhelming—frustration, palpable sadness, and unbearable pain were evident in their voices and expressions.
These women, having lost their husbands, now bear the sole responsibility of caring for their children. Their struggles are compounded by the destruction of their homes and livelihoods due to extreme flooding, a direct consequence of climate change, which has become a near-annual catastrophe.
The story we uncovered is a heartbreaking one, shedding light on the extreme vulnerability of coastal communities in the Niger Delta Region. The 2022 floods in Nigeria, among the most severe in recent history, displaced over 2.5 million people. More than 300,000 homes were either completely destroyed or severely damaged, and thousands of hectares of farmland were lost, devastating food security and livelihoods.
This is not just a historical account; it is the ongoing reality for women and children in flood-prone communities. These farmers, with very low carbon footprints and surrounded by vast vegetation, contribute little to the climate crisis, yet they suffer the most from its effects.
The widows and residents of Irri, Oyede, Idheze, Okpe, Utue-Irri, Aviara, and Orie communities in Delta State, Nigeria, urgently need #LossAndDamageFinance to rebuild their lives and secure their future.
https://youtu.be/RTszX-pwDw0
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20 w
Things we can help avoid in future, only if we act now